by 
The Curious Bag
-
Prostate biopsy is a cancer detection technique that uses special needles to acquire tissue samples from the prostate gland. Pain from the procedure may be slight or moderate, and can be controlled with an anesthetic injection or gel.
Significance
Pain is the primary immediate side effect of prostate biopsy. Proper use of pain control can diminish this effect and provide for an improved patient experience.
The Facts
Prostate biopsy needles are hollow, spring-loaded devices that plunge in and out of the prostate with a single action. Tissue samples are held in a needle's interior. In a typical procedure, eight to 12 individual samples are taken.
Biopsy Pain
Pain from prostate biopsy is caused by the plunging action of the biopsy needle. Without anesthetic, some individuals experience relatively minor discomfort, while others experience a more distinct pain sensation.
Pain Relief
Doctors typically control the pain of biopsy with a local injection of the anesthetic lidocaine, or with a lidocaine gel inserted in the rectum. Injection is typically more effective, and carries little or no side effects.
Considerations
Soreness from a prostate biopsy may linger for several days. Increasing levels of pain may indicate post-procedure complications that require a doctor's care.
Source:
Resource:
The Mayo Clinic - Prostate Biopsy
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC