I think the best approach is to:-
- remember that whatever the MRI saw is not God-given truth but is usually a good indicator
- don't be fobbed off with a quick 'we will look again in 6 or 12 months' unless the MRI was totally clear
- understand before you go tomorrow what the different biopsies are so that you can make a reasoned judgment about whether that biopsy is the right one for you
BIOPSIES - 3 types
- TRUS - unless they know where they are aiming (e.g. because of the MRI), this is the equivalent of sticking a needle in a fruit cake & hoping to spear the cherry. If they know where the suspect area is, TRUS biopsy is quicker & cheaper than the others, doesn't need a general anaesthetic, isn't done in an operating theatre and therefore may be more available during COVID. Biopsies are taken through the bowel wall.
- image guided transperineal - uses a live scan to help aim the needles at the suspect areas - can be done with local anaesthetic so possibly more available than template biopsy during COVID. Biopsies are taken through the skin between your scrotum & anus.
- template biopsy - until recently, always done under general anaesthetic although some NHS trusts have started doing it under local or spinal block instead and this may be becoming more common now that so many operating theatres / recovery rooms have been converted to COVID ICU rooms. Many samples are taken, so a better option than TRUS if the MRI was clear (no suspicious areas) or they aren't absolutely sure where to target. Like the image guided, biopsies are taken between your scrotum & anus.
https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/prostate-tests/prostate-biopsy