PINCUSHION BIOPSY

[Hugo40]

Just read about a Patient having a 24 pin & 48 point biopsy.

My GP led me to believe that the Pincushion method was not being used anymore, MRI is being used more.. I sure hope so or?????

hugo40

[Hugo40]

I am interested in the Biopsy method. So I add this to my original "Pincushion Biopsy" post.

Must not be a popular subject.

I have 2 colleagues that had horrific infections caused by the Pincushion Biopsy method. I know it's crude but cost effective. That's the least of my concerns, the cost.

Hugo

[MelbourneDavid]

A systematic transperineal template biopsy is the most accurate way to diagnose prostate cancer. I had a 24 core one 5 years ago after my MRI.

It caused painful bruising but no other problems.

Transperineal biopsy is sterile and vastly less likely to cause infection (hundreds of times less likely)

MRI is now used as the first stage of diagnosis followed generally by a targetted biopsy.

I would not do a transrectal biopsy if I could avoid it -they have a 1-3% sepsis rate.

[TFBUNDY]

MelbourneDavid is exactly correct. I refused biopsy up the bum because the mpMRI was pretty convincing, and the template biopsy is the next step anyway. The template is a plate with holes at 5mm centres and they shove Very Thick Hollow Needles through it into your prostate via the perineum. Each core is split 9x and each layer examined under the microscope after staining. I had 32 cores. Sounds horrific but I was asleep. I experienced a bit of discomfort but actually it is nothing to be feared. At least my arse remained intact, and I was infection free. I had an amusing dartboard look for a few weeks. Something to show your friends after a few beers.

[TFBUNDY in reply to TFBUNDY]

I forgot to say - the most painful part resulted from removal of the catheter while I was asleep. I think they attached it to a passing trolley. Peeing was AGONY for several days at the exit end. I always request a children's catheter after that experience lol...