A ploidy analysis is a medical test that is commonly used to measure the amount of DNA present in tumor cells. Ploidy analysis requires a prostate biopsy to be performed before the test is carried out. The DNA ploidy test essentially helps grade the level that the cancer has reached. Although the test is relatively new development in the cancer research and medication, the significance of the information gained by the test has not yet been completely understood. It is only because of this that the DNA ploidy test has not completely replaced the more conventional procedures of tumor grading.
After a sample of the tumor has been extracted from the patients body, a ploidy analysis is used to determine how many of the cells still retain the same amount of normal DNA and how many of them have either less or more than the normal amount of DNA within them. Since cancerous cells divide at a faster rate than normal cells, there is a period of time just before the actual division of cells during which the cells have twice the normal amount of DNA. The biopsy will call for a sample of the tumor to be analyzed in a laboratory.
The preparation for the initial biopsy will largely depend on the site where the tumor is located. In most cases, however, any preparation is extremely minimal, although biopsies required on internal organs may require the patient to abstain from food as well as fluids the night before the test. In the cases where surgery is required for the biopsy, doctors will administer some amount of anesthetic.
Any possible risks involved are generally limited to the phase of the biopsy. As with any lancing of the skin, if the instruments used are not sterilized appropriately, infection could be a very strong likelihood. Once the tissue sample has been obtained without incident, future biopsies will not require another sample as tests can still be performed on the recently extracted tissue sample.
After the biopsy phase of a dna ploidy test, the patient is likely to feel a little soreness around the biopsy site, but this can easily be treated with the help of a number of over the counter painkillers. If the site starts to turn red or inflamed, you should approach your doctor immediately to identify if any infection has developed.