The Prostate Biopsy

The prostate biopsy is an important part of the diagnosis process of cancer, and this is because an accurate and early estimation of tumor grade significantly helps prostate cancer patients in their management of prostate disorders.

There are many kinds of biopsies: lung, breast, liver etc. and of course, prostate biopsies.

The etimology of this word sais it all: Biopsy= bios (greek- life) + opsis (greek- view).

So it's a "slice" of a living organ[ism] which alows us to draw precise conclusions and not base all our diagnosis on different variable parameters (such as the PSA levels).

Biopsy Definition

The removal of cells or tissues (in our case, the prostate cancer cells), for the purpose of being analyzed by a pathologist.
In the case of prostatic cancer diagnosis, the cells are later examined by the pathologist to determine whether ot not they are cancerous. There a mainly 3 types of biopsies:

1. Incisional biopsy- only a sample of tissue is removed.
2. Excisional biopsy- an entire lump or suspicious area is removed (e.g. TURP- Transurethral Resection of the Prostate)
3. Needle biopsy, core biopsy, or fine-needle aspiration (this is the type usually performed in the diagnosis phase of prostate cancer)- a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle

Bx- shorthand for biopsy.

Related prostate health articles:

• 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.
• Prostate Biopsy Evaluation & Results: Tissues are graded according to their ability to retain their normal appearance. The more disrupted the normal glandular architecture, the higher the grade of tumor and the poorer the prognosis…
• Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Information: Prostate cancer diagnosis information: Digital Rectal Exam, Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, Transrectal ultrasound, Prostate Biopsy
• 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.
• 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.

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