PROSTATE GLAND BIOPSY – a procedure in which several to a dozen or so (8–12) tissue samples are taken from the prostate gland with a biopsy needle under ultrasound guidance. The material is sent for histopathological examination, which shows whether cancer cells are present in the prostate.
PREPARATION FOR THE PROCEDURE:
- Bowel (large intestine) cleansing. Two days before the procedure, switch to a liquid diet, i.e. eat only foods of a liquid consistency – soups, juices, fruit jellies, custard-style pudding, coffee, tea. If these instructions are not followed, the procedure cannot be performed.
On the day before the procedure – in the evening at 20:00 give yourself a rectal enema using the ready-made ENEMA preparation, as follows: lie on your left side with your knees drawn up towards your abdomen; after moistening the applicator on the tip of the bottle and parting the buttocks, insert the applicator into the rectum to a depth of a few centimetres, then squeeze the contents of the container into the rectum. Remember to do this gently, without using force. Remain lying down for about 15 minutes – only after this time may you go to the toilet to empty your bowels.
On the day of the procedure – in the morning at 8:00 give yourself another rectal enema in the same way as in the evening. If the procedure is scheduled for the afternoon, you may drink, but you must drink your last fluids no later than 5 hours before the procedure. Patients taking medicines, e.g. for high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease, should take them with a small amount of fluid.
- Take an antibiotic in 3 doses: 1st dose on the day before the procedure, 2nd on the day of the procedure, 3rd on the day after the procedure.
- Stop taking medicines that inhibit blood clotting or thin the blood, e.g. Aspiryna, Acard, Polopiryna, Polocard, Heparyna, for 7–10 days.
- Have blood tests done (basic complete blood count, PT, APTT, HBs antigen, anti-HCV).
AFTER THE PROCEDURE:
Avoid strenuous physical activity for a few days after the procedure.
Watch for any bleeding.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS AFTER THE PROCEDURE:
There may be mild pain and slight bleeding from the needle insertion site, or blood may appear in the urine, stool or semen.
If you develop a fever, heavy bleeding or other worrying symptoms, you must see your GP (family doctor) or go to a hospital emergency department.