Trans-Rectal Ultrasound Guided Biopsy of the Prostate Gland

Please note, this page is printable by selecting the normal print options on your computer.

This information booklet has been designed for patients undergoing a Trans Rectal Ultrasound Guided Biopsy.

It will explain to you exactly what this procedure entails and what will happen afterwards.

Phone contact numbers for: 01908 996901 – Macmillan-Oncology Nurses:
Emelda Moos
Laura Miles
Catherine Woolsey
Alex Jones
Reena Kakodkar

Please do not hesitate to contact any of the above if you have any queries regarding appointments, the procedure and follow-up.

Please read all of this leaflet carefully so that you understand what will happen to you during the biopsy and what follow-up has been arranged for you.

You have been seen by your Consultant or a member of his team today who would like you to undergo a further investigation. This test is called a trans-rectal ultrasound-guided biopsy. The result of this test will allow us to confirm your diagnosis. Depending on the result, we will know whether or not you have prostate cancer.

Appointment Details
Below is your appointment, for trans-rectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate gland.
DATE –
TIME –
LOCATION – Treatment Centre

A follow-up appointment will occur within 2-3 weeks with the Consultant or a member of his team who will discuss the results of the biopsy with you. Please read all of this leaflet carefully so that
you understand what will happen to you during the biopsy and what follow-up has been arranged for you.

If you are taking Aspirin, Clopidogrel, or antithrombotic medication for example Warfarin, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban etc it is important that you let us know as soon as possible, as there is a risk of
bleeding after this procedure. Please phone 01908 996901.

• If you take antithrombotic medication you will be referred to the Bridging clinic were you will be advised when to stop the medication prior to your procedure.
• If you take Aspirin or Clopidogrel you need to stop this medication 7 days prior to the procedure.
• The Procedure
Your Specialist has referred you to a hospital department so we can perform an ultrasound guided biopsy of your prostate. This involves inserting an ultrasound probe into your rectum (back passage) to allow the Consultant/Specialist to see the prostate and take approximately ten biopsy samples of the prostate tissue, which will enable a diagnosis to be made. The first sets of needles are local anaesthetic to prevent pain. The rest are needle biopsies and the applicator makes a rattling noise, as it obtains the samples.

On the day of your biopsy please try and arrange for someone to bring you and to drive you home.

On the day of your Procedure
You will have obtained the antibiotics from the prescription given at your out-patients appointment. The antibiotics are Ciproxin 500mg twice a day for three days. Before you leave home on the day of your appointment for the trans-rectal ultrasound-guided biopsy, you must take the first tablet 2 hours prior to your appointment, another tablet that evening, then the following morning and evening for a further two/four days (or as instructed by the Consultant or Specialist Nurse).

On arrival in the hospital department you will be asked to change into a hospital gown, removing all your clothes from the waist down but keeping your shoes on. Please bring a dressing gown with you as you may have to wait for a few minutes. Once you are changed you must empty your bladder before coming into the examination room.

You may be given an antibiotic at the time of your procedure by the Doctor in the form of a suppository, oral medication or I.V antibiotics. You must tell the Nurse or Radiographer who brings you into the room if you are allergic to anything. The Consultant/Specialist will explain the procedure to you after which you will sign a consent form. Even after this form has been signed you can ask to stop the procedure at any time. The examination will take approximately 30 minutes. Once the procedure has finished you will be asked to get changed and wait until the Nurse discharges you.

Saturation Biopsies:
There are instances when your doctor will arrange a more in depth set of biopsies called saturation biopsies. Instead of taking ten biopsy samples approximately 20 biopsy samples will be taken other than this the process is exactly the same as an ultrasound guided biopsy of your prostate. Be reassured that this is relatively painless after the local anaesthetic.

• Afterwards
It is common to see blood in your urine, semen or when you have your bowels open – this may last several days and occur up to eight weeks after the biopsy. If you experience severe pain in your back passage, see large amounts of blood in your urine, semen or when you have your bowels open, have difficulty passing urine or urinary retention, high temperature or fever you should seek advice from your GP or go to A&E. Please take this leaflet with you if you need to seek medical advice. To help prevent any problems occurring it is important that you drink plenty of fluids to ensure that any blood in your urine is flushed out. You can eat and drink normally before and after your biopsy.

Follow Up
This is the appointment where you get the results of your biopsy and will happen 2-3 weeks after the procedure. It may be wise to bring a partner or family member with you, as it is not always possible to remember everything that is said to you, it also provides you with extra support. Treatment options will be discussed with you.

We hope this leaflet has been of help to you, but if we have omitted anything please let us know.