Prostate Biopsys May Become Necessary
The prostate is a small gland found in men that resembles the shape of a walnut. The function of the gland is to secrete fluid used to transport sperm and it includes some smooth muscle in order for that fluid to be expelled. Prostate biopsys may result when problems arise concerning this gland and other testing cannot dispel the possibility of cancer.
This gland is located right below the bladder and surrounds the urethra and can be easily felt during a rectal examination. Inside the prostate, the prostatic urethra is one that comes from the bladder and then combines with two ducts used for ejaculatory purposes. Conditions associated with this gland are usually referred to a urologist for testing and treatment.
When particular problems arise with the prostate, the urologist will perform a series of tests to pinpoint specific causes. A variety of disorders can be responsible for uncomfortable symptoms regarding this gland. Prostasis and benign prostatic hyperplasia are conditions that can result in the need to visit a urologist aside from cancer.
Prostasis causes inflammation and there are four separate types of prostasis; each with a different cause. Bacterial types are acute and chronic forms; generally treated with antibiotics. Non-bacterial types are often treated with alpha blockers. One particular form known as leucocytosis can cause inflammation and an elevated white cell count which may or may not result in fever.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is most commonly found in older men and most commonly presents with difficulty in urinating. Symptoms can range from needing to urinate frequently to the inability to urinate at all. Medication is usually the first source for treatment and in some cases there are several procedures that are minimally invasive that can be done before surgery becomes necessary.
Whenever a patient reports to the urologist with an enlarged prostrate or difficulty in urinating there are a series of test that are normally performed to diagnose the problem. A prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) blood test and rectal examine (DRE) are commonly done under these circumstances. If the results of these tests indicate a possibility of cancer then a biopsy is the next course of testing.
During the procedure, approximately a dozen small tissue samples are removed from the gland to be tested under a microscope for abnormalities. PSA tests are designed to indicate levels that are consistent with cancer and this procedure is a way to confirm or deny initial testing and examination. It can be done on an out-patient basis with only a local anesthetic. Some men have reported small amounts of blood in the urine for several days following the procedure.
The procedure can be performed through the rectum, urethra or perineum (rarely). The samples are taken with the use of a very thin spring-loaded tissue collection needle and they are generally guided with the use of ultrasound. There is a certain degree of discomfort associated with the procedure. In most cases of prostate biopsys an antibiotic may be prescribed as a precaution for the prevention of infection after the procedure.