About this topic
The prostate is a part of the mans body that helps make semen. The prostate is located at the base of the penis and in front of the rectum. ‚
Prostate biopsy is done: ‚
- To help your doctor know if the lump or tumor in your prostate is cancer or not.
- If your blood test, called PSA or prostate specific antigen, is high. High PSA in the blood means disease in the prostate.
During a prostate biopsy, the doctor uses a needle to collect a piece of tissue from the prostate. The doctor sends the tissue to the lab. The lab then checks the tissue for infection or cancer. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Rest after the procedure to prevent bleeding from the biopsy site. Avoid activities like heavy lifting and hard exercise.
- You may see some blood in your urine or stools for the next few days. You may also have blood in your semen for a few weeks.
- Drink up to 8 glasses of water a day to help flush out blood.
- Use an ice pack to help with the pain and to help stop the bleeding for the first 2 days after the procedure. Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Use ice each hour as needed.
- Keep your rectal opening and penis clean to prevent infection.
- Keep your wound dry for the next 24 hours. Ask your doctor about when you may take a bath or shower.
- Change the dressing if it gets soaked.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits.
- It may take up to 2 weeks for your doctor to get the results. You may be asked to return to the doctors office for the result of the biopsy in 2 to 3 weeks. The results will help your doctor understand what kind of problem you have with your prostate. Together you can make a plan for more care.
- Your doctor will talk with you if any other treatment is needed.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- Avoid doing activities that may put pressure on your rectal area for the next 7 days. You may be more comfortable if you do not ride a bike, horse, or motorcycle.
- Limit your sexual activity for a few days after the procedure. Ask your doctor when you can have sex.
- Do not strain when going to the bathroom. Dont hold your urine. Holding back from urinating can irritate your bladder and lead to a urinary tract infection.
- Avoid constipation by eating foods high in fiber and staying hydrated. Straining to eliminate can worsen your signs as you heal.
What problems could happen?
- Infection from the biopsy site
- Bleeding
- Tumor spread
- Very bad pain
- Bladder or rectum perforation
- Urinary tract infection
- Trouble passing urine
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced sexual activity
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of urine infection like fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, burning or pain when you pass urine.
- No urine or more problems passing urine
- Yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge from the penis
- Lots of rectal bleeding or large amounts of blood in the urine
- Pain does not go away even after taking your drugs
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, problems passing urine, or drainage from my penis.
Where can I learn more?
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/medtestprostate/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚