Prostate Biopsy

Before getting into the details of what a prostate biopsy is and the carious prostate biopsy complications and prostate biopsy side effects, it helps to understand the role that the prostate gland plays in your medical health. The prostate gland is concerned with the secretion of some amount of alkaline fluid that is milky and white in color. This fluid constitutes a good 20% to 30% of a man’s semen and helps neutralize the acidity that is naturally present in the woman’s vaginal tract. In order for the prostate gland to work properly and regulate the correct amounts, it requires male hormones known as androgens that are primarily responsible for the male sexual characteristics.

Prostate Biopsy Procedure, Results and Complications


A prostate biopsy is a medical procedure that results in a small sample of the prostate tissue being removed and tested, specifically for the presence of cancer.

The prostate biopsy procedure can be carried out as an outpatient procedure that will require the sample from the gland to be extracted with the help of a six inch needle that is inserted into the body. Despite the fact that a local anesthetic is administered, most men are known to have voiced instances of discomfort during the procedure. Roughly about 12 samples of the tissue will be collected by inserting the needle into both sides of the prostate gland and may be done with tactile finger guidance.

Most presiding doctors will also suggest that the patient take an enema the morning of the procedure. In order to avoid any prostate biopsy complications and ensure that the prostate biopsy results that are presented to you after the analysis are accurate, it is important to make sure that you inform the presiding doctor about any bleeding problems that you may suffer from, any medication that you may be taking (both prescribed and non prescribed) as well as if you are allergic to any kind of medication including anesthetics. Some doctors may ask for the procedure to be performed under general anesthesia, in which case he or she will also give you some advice on how you should plan your meals on the day of the procedure. During the procedure, an Intravenous line will be inserted into your arm to provide your body with certain fluids that your body will require during the procedure. You may also be advised to take some antibiotics in order to avoid infection as a result of the prostate biopsy.