Prostate biopsy procedure explained by urologist

If you or a loved one has an upcoming prostate biopsy or may need one, this video will help you understand what the procedure is, why it's done, and how it's done. You'll know what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.

Dr. Eric Tygenhof is a board-certified expert urologist specializing in general urology, with a particular emphasis in stone disease and robotic surgery. He practices in Fullerton, California as a partner at Southland Urology. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

[msxpert]

I am so glad you guys have the appropriate care around this procedure. You deserve this amount of pain reduction and I wish anyone going through this a very speedy recovery.
I went for a biopsy procedure for uterine cancer last year. I was given no numbing agent, gas or injection. I had a large speculum inserted into my vagina and opened several inches wide. The doctor then proceeded to push through a cylindrical blade (roughly 3/4 of an inch long) through my cervix into my uterus. He then gave me permission to swear and told me this would hurt. Using that cylinder he removed that tissue from inside of me by dragging it blade first, taking parts of my cervix with it because how else would you be able to remove it. I was then handed a pad and told to drive myself home. I bled heavily for over a week. I’m so upset we don’t get the same care with our procedure. It was barbaric.

[jnick]

I had a prostate biopsy in my doctors office in the mid eighties. I had no numbing as you state. It was the most painful experience I have ever endured. I pissed out blood and ejaculated blood for almost a month. I came down with a urinary infection and was given an antibiotic. After all that the test came back normal. I see now its much less barbaric than when i had mine.

[rehellman]

Having the procedure this week and found this clarifying and reassuring. I wish all urologists would recommend this to their patients. Thank you.

[firebearva]

My first urologist performed two biopsies taking 12 core samples on the first and 16 core samples on the second biopsy both were done without benefit of nitrous oxide or numbing. After the second biopsy, I developed an infection and went septic spent over a week in the hospital. Needless to say I found a new urologist.

[johngranato]

I have had two transrectal biopsies I had one a day ago and one 6 years ago. In both cases, I had the procedures at a surgical center and while under twilight anesthesia (same intravenous anesthesia as given during a colonoscopy). In both cases, I had no pain during or after the procedure. I did have a small amount of blood in the first few seconds of my first post-biopsy urination and a bit more blood on the first stool that I passed. For a few hours after the biopsy, I felt as though I had to poop--but only a mild sensation, at that. For about three days before the procedure, I had a soft diet, not too much fiber, which kept me regular and my stool firm. A few hours after my regular morning poop, I performed my enema procedure. I did so about two hours before arriving at the surgical center. I pooped easily 10 minutes after the enema--a normal and easily passed stool. The diet also meant that I did not need to strain to poop after the procedure, which you really want to avoid. I continue my antibiotics as prescribed and await the results. If all is well, in a few months, I will undergo a PAE procedure at the University of Miami Medical Facilities. My PSA has hovered around 4.25 for many years--with a low of 3.80 and a high of 5.20. All DREs have been negative. I have a large prostate of about 130 grams. The PAE is intended to improve urination and avoid having to use a catheter (which I have never needed) as the prostate continues to grow. I am nearly 65, very good health. Let's see what happens. Don't be afraid. I do recommend twilight anesthesia, though. Oh, by the way, I did have a Multi-parametric MRI of the prostate about 4-1/2 years ago. That, too, was negative. Good luck and improve your health while you are at it--you want to see your kids and grandkids grow up. Bye!

[triciawallace]

Thank you Doctor! This put my mind at ease about what my husband went through today! I appreciate it very much!

[ReginoReyes-lh]

I undergo MRI Fusion prostate biopsy, exactly 2 weeks I have received the results as "Benign Prostate cells. Thank God I was bery happy for the result.

[lincolnsamuels]

Very well explained, I'm having mine done this week, after watching this I'm not worried anymore and is more relaxed. Thanks Doc.

[pyagmai]

Thank you for answering so many of my questions without me asking them. I feel better now.

[davidmccall]

I wish you were practicing on the east coast! I'd call immediately for an appointment if you were. Thanks for this very informative and reassuring video; your patience are blessed to have you!

[patrickoneil]

Thank you. I was feeling pretty anxious until I checked out your video. The video seems made in the best tradition of helpful education. I am happy I watched it.

[davidwhelan]

Hi Dr Eric, I’ve watched a number of your videos and think you’re an excellent teacher. Your explanations are calmly put across in good and easy to understand detail.

[mattthomson]

A crystal clear explanation, staying focused on the procedure used for obtaining material for confirming or ruling out PCa. Apparently the biopsy precedes MRI, useful for comprehensive focusing of radiation treatment when indicated, rather than trying to use MRI for early detection. Glad to have medical team involvement instead of only one or two physicians.

[sincitysteve]

I had this procedure done on Friday, December 17th, 2021. I was the first procedure of that day. Arrived @ hospital Same Day Surgery at 6:30am and was released at 10am. I was terrified but it went well with almost no pain. I was twilight sedated. The only after surgery issues were blood in my urine and my sperm for about 3 weeks. There was no pain.

[theoriginalDaveC]

Excellent. Very nice presentation. Certainly helped me relax a little ahead of my procedure, particularly the part around hearing from an expert how a biopsy does not cause cancer (I'd read something somewhere about how pulling samples from the prostate could 'release' cancerous cells into the body)... Thank you!

[GregSr]

This doctor explains EXACTLY how my biopsy went. I had this procedure done yesterday at the VA Loma Linda. I was very nervous about it to say the least - causing high anxiety. I was so nervous (afraid), I took an unauthorized Xanax one hour before just to keep my blood pressure from going too high. The doctor was very good and explained every step as she was doing it. My conclusions: Not nearly as bad as I imagined. Uncomfortable? Yes. Painful? No. The whole procedure took less than 10 minutes. She took 16 very targeted samples from my prostate. Lab results are pending.

[robertmonroe]

My doc seems to believe the standard action with an elevated PSA is now an MRI and then a fusion biopsy (basically aiming some of the needles at any suspicious areas identified by MRI).

In my doc’s estimation, the MRI does not preclude the biopsy but might help guide it (if anything suspicious is noted).

Since an MRI does precisely measure the prostate (useful in PSA density calculations) and pretty good at spotting suspicious areas the hope is it’ll replace certain biopsies on certain occasions.

[tobyihli]

Thank you. I thought it was supposed to be relatively painless, but I just lived through a nightmare and I knew the doctor had screwed up. I had a biopsy done, and it was the worst pain I’ve ever felt. I told the doctor that he had done something wrong, and he argued with me and tried to convince me that it was supposed to be painful. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him or to speak to him.

[thystheron]

Thanks a lot, I'm due for mine in 3 days. This information is very useful.

[hourgmtchannel]

Age 55 with a 3.97 PSA which is up about 1.5 from three years ago and just got my 3T MP MRI results today. The report shows enlargement which was felt on the DRE and "1. no lesion of at least mild suspicion" but the Doc still wants to do a biopsy which is a bit perplexing. After doing some further research, it seems even radiologist are split on the need for follow up biopsy due to the small percentage that may be missed by the reading doctor. I looked up who did mine and he is 8 years out of med school. This is all a bit disappointing as I payed for the MRI to be done first in hopes that if negative findings were produced, it would avoid the 12 point ultrasound guided biopsy but I now get why a biopsy should still be performed.