TRANSPERINEAL PROTATE BIOPSY

A Prostate Biopsy is where small samples of tissue are taken from your prostate gland. The samples are sent to the pathology laboratory to be examined under a microscope by a specialist.

 

A Biopsy can find out whether any of your prostate cells have become cancerous or if you have a pre-existing cancer, whether the cancer has changed. It can also diagnose other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate), prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) or prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), which is a change in the cell type but not the cancer.

 

A transperineal biopsy is performed as a day case procedure under a general anaesthetic (you will be asleep).  A special ultrasound probe is inserted into your back passage to allow visualisation of the prostate.  A grid is placed against the perineum (the skin between your anus and scrotum) which allows for accurate sampling of all parts of your prostate.

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A find biopsy needle is used to take samples. Pathology results from biopsy samples may take up to a week to be completed.