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Prostate Biopsy

Test Overview

A prostate, Opens dialog biopsy is a test to remove small samples of prostate tissue to be looked at under a microscope. The tissue samples taken are looked at for cancer, Opens dialog cells.

For a transrectal prostate biopsy, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum, Opens dialog. Guided by ultrasound, a spring-loaded needle is used to take samples from the prostate through the rectal wall. A transperineal prostate biopsy is less common. This type of biopsy also takes prostate samples, but through a cut made in the perineum, the area between the scrotum and anus.

While ultrasound is often used to guide the sampling, other ways of imaging such as MRI or CT scans may also be used.

A prostate biopsy may be done:

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Why It Is Done

Current as of: October 25, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

 

PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.