Core sample biopsy questions

HiOhiO. Yes, it the same needle is used to take all cores. AFAIK there is no contamination with cancer cells when the uro goes to the next prostate area because the entire tissue core is ejected from the needle into the specimen container each time. (But I imagine a few isolated cells from the previous core wouldn't matter, because the pathologist is looking at fairly large-scale prostate-tissue architecture under the microscope.)

Contamination with bacteria from the colon in a TRUS biopsy is possible. However, wiping the biopsy needle with agents like isopropyl alcohol between cores cuts infection rates way down. Since adopting this technique, my uro has not had a patient develop a serious infection from a biopsy -- of course prophyactic antibiotics are still used. Over the years I had 9 TRUS biopsies with different uros without a single infection taking the antibiotics prescribed. I think rectal swabbing is more likely when the patient has had a prior serious infection resulting from a biopsy.

Which antibiotics are used can vary by geographic region because the prevalent bugs vary by region too.

I asked my uro about using one needle per core and he said it would be too expensive. I once checked, and there do exist single-core prostate biopsy needles, but, if I remember, this would add about $300 to the cost of the procedure.

Djin

I got the antibiotic Cipro before my biopsy. It's much to strong, was 'black boxed' shortly thereafter, and I developed C Diff, a nasty infection and inflammation of the colon, because of it.

If they had wiped the biopsy needle with isopropyl alcohol between the cores, it probably would have prevented the C Diff.

I was sedated for my biopsy. Didn't feel a thing. Only way for me.

My husband described it as a curling iron with probes. No issues with the biopsy other than our local hospital and Ohio State had different results from the same biopsy.

The biopsy was the least of his worries.

For me the worst part of the biopsy was the antibiotic shot. I'm in the room, the NP comes in and verifies that I am who I said, she flips through and says, "you're allergic to penicillin, right? I affirmed and she left and came back with a syringe. I started to roll my sleeve, she laughed and said, nope, go over there and drop trou.

THAT hurt. And it hurt for a week.

And then a few hours after, I had to pee, and nothing happened until I passed a big clot. That didn't feel very good either. Oh, and they rarely warn you that your semen will be red, then brown, then black for a while afterwards.

Good to hear!!
Take care 💖 and Good Luck!! Pray you get good news from the results! Positive thoughts and wishes for you.