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Prostate biopsy procedure

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Posted 11/8/2011 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
I have had a rising PSA over the past 2 years (from 4.7 to 7.8) so the urologist wants to do a biopsy on me. Instead I sent a sediment sample to the Navarro Onocology lab and the results of my HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadatropin) test came back positive for cancer (52.6 IU with anything over 50 IU being positive). I have hesitated to take the next step for the biopsy due to the articles on the dangers and value of the test, especially from the US Task Force on Medical Testing. I am neither a medical doctor nor a surgeon, but I fail to understand in our day of robotics & micro surgical equipment why doctors cannot go up through the tube connecting the bladder and prostate rather than slitting open the colon, opening it up to infection, adhesion, and possible cancer in the future. I know that the tube between the bladder & prostate is quite small, but we do some amazing things on that level now anyway.
Posted 11/8/2011 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
theo,

welcome to hw.

with what you wrote, you really need the biopsy to confirm the cancer and get a scope on its current state, the best that a standard prostate biopsy can do. there are minute risks, shouldn't be enough to stop you from having one. I had 3 done over a period of 18 months, and none of them caused me any problems.

good luck, and please report back and let us know what it finds.

david in sc
Posted 11/8/2011 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
First of all welcome to our group and so sorry you might have to be here. I am not a doctor nor an expert but I am not sure where you got you information about the prostate biopsy. The procedure is done with needles that penetrate the colon wall and collect tissue samples from the various parts of the prostate. The colon wall is not slit open and all you will have are 12 or so needle penetrations of the prostate done with a needle through the colon wall. It is done under a topical anaesthetic and quit painless and takes about 15 minutes to complete.   In about 2% of the cases an infection from the colon can result. I was one of those 2% but I got over it with a mega dose of IV antibiotics. There is no logical way to take tissue samples through the Urethra going through the organ and even if it could be done the penetration of the urethra could be just as harmful and left open to infection. The needle biopsy is one of the best and easiest ways to diagnose PC. Even most scans and MRIs that can be done of the prostate are not reliable is finding smaller tumors that only the needle biopsy can find. BTW most of us in this group have very little faith in the reliability of  US Task Force on Medical Testings findings and reports.

Good luck and I would not sweat the biopsy.

The Water Guy

Posted 11/8/2011 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
I had a saturation biopsy and it was done under anesthesia. It was not a big deal.
Posted 11/8/2011 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
In my opinion, if one can't accept the risks of a biopsy there is no way to accept the risks of treatment.

Biopsies are completely routine for many situations and the risks are minute compared to the vital information they produce. If there was a better way we would be using it.

A saturation biopsy can be performed through the perineum as Gleason 6 advised. This is not necessarily less risky, just different type of risk. It is a more significant procedure, hence the anaesthesia.
Posted 11/8/2011 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
I two suffered with an infection after the biopsy, cured with IV antibiotics. But, I would still go through the procedure again. The results are important. Squid.
Posted 11/8/2011 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you are falling into the trap of believing all the BS there is posted on the internet...The 12 core prostate biopsy is uncomfortable, not really painful, and it's over rather quickly, 15 minutes or less..I had 3 of them, survived them all..Not something to look forward to but if the cancer you suspect is present, you have far more to worry about than the biopsy....Trust us, it's better to go in the back door than the front door..which is, by the way, a pleasure you will probably get to experience at some point on your journey...
Posted 11/8/2011 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Theo,

I would agree with the previous posts about the biopsy. My case was a bit different. I had an 18 core biopsy which came back positive for PCa. The doctor mentioned that there was a 2% chance of rectal bleeding after prostate biopsy and I happened to be one of those cases. It led to an ER visit, a day's stay in the hospital and had clips put in to prevent further bleeding. It's an unfortunate event that happened but most of the folks I know did not have any issues. I would recommend taking it easy for a couple of days after the biopsy - no heavy lifting or straining. I got to work in the garden lifting some heavy potted plants which may have caused the bleeding.

As far as I know, the biopsy is the only way to be certain whether you have PCa or not. My urologist did say that a negative biopsy result (good result) does not mean that there is no PCa - the samples may not have hit the area with PCa. So, the more number of samples they take the better the confidence of detecting PCa.

Good luck with your decision & keep us posted on your progress.

Posted 11/9/2011 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
i was terrified of the biopsy.  it caused me weeks of anxiety beforehand.  afterwards i felt like a big sissy because it really wasn't that bad.  the initial DRE by my urologist was by far the most painful procedure i have endured on my journey.  ask for a sedative and you'll be fine.

http://blogs.marke***ch.com/greenberg/2008/03/weekend-special-my-prostate-biopsy/

ed

 

Posted 11/9/2011 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
i don't know why my link gets altered.  google herb greenberg + prostate biopsy if you are interested.

ed

 

Posted 11/9/2011 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
I was lucky with the biopsy. When my PSA shot up I was referred to a urologist, who did the biopsy right then and there without giving me time to build up anxiety. The anxiety is really the worst of it.

For my money, Fairwind described it accurately. It's uncomfortable and quick. There's no real pain, although you'll be sore as hell afterward. Bring Extra Strength Tylenol with you and take a couple before you leave the Doctor's office. You'll remain sore for a few days, so keep popping the Tylenol.

Complications are rare, and many guys have multiple biopsies without incident. You really do need to do this, so just do it. Chances are excellent that you'll be fine.
Posted 11/9/2011 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
The biopsy is the easy part, a little uncomfortable and low risks of side effects. Get the biopsy so you have a more definitive assessment of what you may be facing. I had no issues and took it easy for a day or two.

By the way, as previously mentioned, the US Task Force is not helpful. Certainly not a friend of mine. Good luck.
Posted 11/9/2011 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
i didn't have any pain after the biopsy.  maybe a little discomfort but no pain.  in fact i didn't have any pain after my seed implant.

ed

 

Posted 11/9/2011 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
Theo,
Your thoughts of a biopsy through the tube are not far fetched. My urologist told me that he once did a biopsy through a patient's penis. I had never heard of this before and never had again until you brought it up. I had 13 biopsies and never had a problem; it hurts for a couple of hours. I would go through a hundred biopsies to avoid one through my penis; just the thought makes me cringe.
JT
Posted 11/9/2011 6:26 AM (GMT 0)
I also had an infection and it was horrible, so I and stringly suggest you do a fleet enema before this procedure
Posted 11/9/2011 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
I did the fleet enema and still got a blood infection. But I also got a shot of Valium before the procedure and I was feeling real good. turn
Posted 11/9/2011 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
I'm in the "just a bit uncomfortable" group as well.  Other than the 15 minutes on the table, and a camera stuck where you don't really want it, for me it was a bit of bleeding, then I was completely back to myself in a couple of hours.

Good luck.

Posted 11/9/2011 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Mine stung. I had two while awake. The first one was unpleasant, like getting snapped by a very long rubber band. The second one seemed worse for some reason. But on both those occasions I did not have a local anesthetic, which I gather is routine procedure these days--a little jab of lidocaine into the area where the biopsy needle will go, transforming a potentially painful procedure into one that is merely uncomfortable.

When I needed a third biopsy, I must have rolled my eyes because the urologist quickly offered to do it under general anesthetic (completely unaware) in the hospital. He said "we now do a local anesthetic routinely, but if you're at all worried, I don't mind doing this in the hospital under general?" and I took him up on the offer. It was very easy, but expensive since I had a deductible.

I never had any problems after any of the biopsies. Biopsy #3 found the cancer, 20% of the cores.
Posted 11/9/2011 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
I had a 12 core biopsy in the doctor's office. It took 15 minutes and was painless.
Posted 11/9/2011 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
I was given a prescription for some antibiotics to begin taking the day before the biopsy and continue for several days after. The biopsy was a 12 core done in the doctor's office with a local anesthetic and was very close to pain free, just felt some minor pinch like sensations. No problems with infection or other complications afterwards.
Posted 11/9/2011 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
As Inspector 13's report above. I was wound up about it by a colleague who had the biopsy done 12 years earlier who said it was worse than surgery. It wasn't I needn't have worried so bad. The antibiotic course I started the day before kept me safe, the 12 shots were painless under local and there was a dull ache started in the perineum the next day for about 24 hours or so. And a little blood in the urine for a day. A breeze, get it done, good luck with your results.

Muz
Posted 11/9/2011 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
My biopsy was uncomfortable, but I cleaned up and went back to the office.

F8 - the site name got edited by the posting system itself, automatically, because there was a string of characters that matches something on the forbidden list. We are not privy to that list, but anytime you see the asterisks, that is the reason.

Posted 11/10/2011 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
My biopsy was done is operation room with general anesthesia. I had no problem or pain- other than blood in urine and semen for 2-3 days. If you are a potential candidate for Pca, don't worry about biopsy. It will be a breeze in the park to the days ahead.
Posted 11/10/2011 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum!
Considering the result if nothing is done the biopsy is no big deal!It felt like a pinch 12 times,Idid it local,plan on taking it easy though after the biopsy,I think some people cause more bleeding by not resting afterwards and letting things settle down.I would have it done again rather than wonder and waiting for it to spread.The PSA is a life saver for me,as well as the biopsy.I know people who waited and had to have much more tests,chemo,ect on the watch,but everyones situation is different!I wish you the best!
gamms
Posted 11/10/2011 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Theo,

Biopsy was not too bad, a small pinch about 12 times, takes about 15 min.  You will have blood in your urine and semen for a while after the biopsy, I think it took about 2 weeks to clear up.

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