Prostate Biopsy Risks & Side-effects- Are there any?

Sometimes people ask about prostate biopsy side effects, or about prostate biopsy risks . The greatest risk is not getting accurate prostate samples, that is not making correct conclusions as a result of the biopsy. If there IS indeed a cancer and it's stage is high, not detecting it could be very dangerous, because it could methastasize in the mean time. It's is well known that in the case of prostate cancer, "the sooner, the better". However, evaluating PSA levels frequently can prevent an explosion of this affection.

Other possible risks are:

• Inflamation of urethra- as a consequence of Transurethral biopsy.
• Infection- occurring in the case of men with undiagnosed bacterial Prostatitis. In order to prevent such problems, antibiotics are prescribed before the biopsy
• Bleeding from the rectum, in the urine, or hematospermia (blood in the spermatic fluid) for the next 2-3 days. If it lasta longer, you should call your doctor immediately. These are all effects of the needle penetrating living tissue, and the body should soon recover

An anomymous sufferer sais the following

"I developed a severe case of prostatitis following a prostate biopsy. The biopsy was negative for cancer, but left me in severe pain. My PSA was ever so slightly elevated, so my HMO insisted on a biopsy. If I'd known then what I know now about the prostate, I would *never* have let them near me with that needle, at least, not at this time."

Fortunately, this man found a solution in a strong prostatic massage of a doctor. Already after the first strong prostatic massage, he was feeling better, while no bacterial presence was confirmed. And after the second such massage, his bladder sympthoms and perineal pains were totally gone...

Related prostate health articles:

• The Prostate Biopsy: The prostate biopsy is an important part of the diagnosis because an accurate and early estimation of tumor grade significantly helps prostate cancer patients in their management of prostate disorders.
• Who is prostate biopsy for? Prerequisites…: After PSA testing and DRE (Digital Rectal Exam), a prostate biopsy may be required by your doctor, in order to make a correct and as precise as possible diagnostic.
• Prostate Biopsy- How does it feel?: Most people only feel a slight sting, while others accuse very bad consequences (such as prostatitis) following prostate biopsy.
• Prostate Biopsy- Is it a Perfect Procedure?: The tumor is a compact mass of cells and that is what is normally felt during a DRE. Some cancers are already in an advanced stage, and only few prostate biopsy samples are needed.
• Prostate Biopsy- How is it done? Procedure…: There is an ongoing refinment of the prostate biopsy process, adapting it to prostates of different sizes and shapes.

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