Prostate biopsy

Tissue can then be specifically removed from several regions of the prostate with a biopsy needle (8–14 swages) by means of ultrasonic control . The procedure is painless and usually takes no more than 10–15 minutes. Because the biopsy is usually performed via the rectum, bacteria are inevitably introduced to the prostate, thereby increasing the risk of infection. The patient is therefore prescribed antibiotics the night before the biopsy and for 3–5 days afterwards. Severe infection (sepsis) is rare (1–2% of cases). However if the patient breaks out in a fever after the biopsy, the attending physician or general physician should be informed immediately. Any blood-thinning medication must be discontinued or adjusted in order to minimise the risk of haemorrhaging (blood in urine and intestine). Heart patients may also require prophylaxis for endocarditis. For up to four months after the examination, blood may appear in the urine, stool, ejaculate; this should not be any cause for concern.

The examination is performed on an outpatient basis. Thanks to improved technology (e.g. MRI investigation), certain prostate tumours can be better depicted. It is thus possible to puncture the tumours with the aid of MRI , which substantially reduces the number of swages required (2–3). This method is new, and the benefits have yet to be scientifically confirmed. In the case of evidence of prostate cancer, lymph node and/or bone metastases are investigated and ruled out via MRI, CT, or bone scintigraphy.