Biopsy at the cervix
The biopsy at the cervix is called colposcopy-guided biopsy in medical terminology. Colposcopy is a gynaecological examination procedure in which the vagina and cervix can be examined with the help of a special microscope. In this procedure, a biopsy of the cervix can be performed if tumorous changes are suspected. Using a small pair of forceps (snapshot biopsy), tissue samples are taken from the suspicious areas and then sent to the pathologist for a fine tissue examination. As a rule, this is not painful.
Biopsy of the prostate
Prostate carcinoma is a very common type of cancer in men of advanced age. As part of preventive programmes, every man should undergo an annual prostate examination from the age of 45. This consists of a palpation of the prostate and a determination of the PSA level in the blood.
A conspicuous examination finding, for example an enlarged prostate, which is accompanied by an elevated PSA level, always gives rise to suspicion of prostate cancer and should be investigated further. A benign enlargement of the prostate, a so-called “benign prostatic hyperplasia”, or an inflammation (prostatitis) can also increase the PSA level in the blood. A prostate biopsy may be necessary to make a reliable diagnosis.
It is an uncomplicated and safe procedure and its results are meaningful. The biopsy is currently the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer. After a thorough explanation by the doctor, the biopsy can be performed in the hospital as an outpatient or inpatient procedure.
It should be noted that as an invasive procedure, the biopsy is always associated with risks. In addition to infections and bleeding, the biopsy itself can very rarely cause the spread of possible tumour cells. The subsequent results of the biopsy always include a small residual risk of being false positive (patient is healthy, but test positive) or false negative (patient sick, but test negative).
In the prostate biopsy, about 10 samples are usually collected to increase the safety of the procedure. The “prostate punch biopsy” is performed through the anus, just like the urologist’s examination. A small needle is used to give a local anaesthetic and the whole procedure is controlled by ultrasound to check the correct position.
Similar to the breast biopsy, the hollow needle is “shot” at high speed into the corresponding area and a punch cylinder filled with tissue is removed. After at least 10 procedures, more than 10,000 cells are removed from different areas of the prostate. After the examination there is not much to look for.
The procedure is mostly without complications. Shortly afterwards, there may be slight pain, as well as problems with urination or blood in the urine. A conspicuous examination finding, for example an enlarged prostate, which is accompanied by an elevated PSA level, always gives rise to suspicion of prostate cancer and should be investigated further.
A benign enlargement of the prostate, a so-called “benign prostatic hyperplasia”, or an inflammation (prostatitis) can also increase the PSA level in the blood. A prostate biopsy may be necessary to make a reliable diagnosis. It is an uncomplicated and safe procedure and its results are meaningful.
The biopsy is currently the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer. After a thorough explanation by the doctor, the biopsy can be performed in the hospital as an outpatient or inpatient procedure. It should be noted that as an invasive procedure, the biopsy is always associated with risks.
In addition to infections and bleeding, the biopsy itself can very rarely cause the spread of possible tumour cells. The subsequent results of the biopsy always include a small residual risk of being false positive (patient is healthy, but test positive) or false negative (patient sick, but test negative). In the prostate biopsy, about 10 samples are usually collected to increase the safety of the procedure.
The “prostate punch biopsy” is performed through the anus, just like the urologist’s examination. A small needle is used to give a local anaesthetic and the whole procedure is controlled by ultrasound to check the correct position. Similar to the breast biopsy, the hollow needle is “shot” at high speed into the corresponding area and a punch cylinder filled with tissue is removed.
After at least 10 procedures, more than 10,000 cells are removed from different areas of the prostate. After the examination there is not much to look for. The procedure is mostly without complications.
Shortly afterwards, there may be slight pain, as well as problems with urination or blood in the urine. A prostate biopsy may be necessary to make a reliable diagnosis. It is an uncomplicated and safe procedure and the results are conclusive.
The biopsy is currently the only way to make a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer. After a thorough explanation by the doctor, the biopsy can be performed in the hospital as an outpatient or inpatient procedure. It should be noted that as an invasive procedure, the biopsy is always associated with risks.
In addition to infections and bleeding, the biopsy itself can very rarely cause the spread of possible tumour cells. The subsequent results of the biopsy always include a small residual risk of being false positive (patient is healthy, but test positive) or false negative (patient sick, but test negative). In the prostate biopsy, about 10 samples are usually collected to increase the safety of the procedure.
The “prostate punch biopsy” is performed through the anus, just like the urologist’s examination. A small needle is used to give a local anaesthetic and the whole procedure is controlled by ultrasound to check the correct position. Similar to the breast biopsy, the hollow needle is “shot” at high speed into the corresponding area and a punch cylinder filled with tissue is removed.
After at least 10 procedures, more than 10,000 cells are removed from different areas of the prostate. After the examination there is not much to look for. The procedure is mostly without complications.
Shortly afterwards, there may be slight pain, as well as problems with urination or blood in the urine. After a thorough explanation by the doctor, the biopsy can be performed in hospital as an outpatient or inpatient procedure. It should be noted that as an invasive procedure, biopsy is always associated with risks.
In addition to infections and bleeding, the biopsy itself can very rarely cause the spread of possible tumour cells. The subsequent results of the biopsy always include a small residual risk of being false positive (patient is healthy, but test positive) or false negative (patient sick, but test negative). In the prostate biopsy, about 10 samples are usually collected to increase the safety of the procedure.
The “prostate punch biopsy” is performed through the anus, just like the urologist’s examination. A small needle is used to give a local anaesthetic and the whole procedure is controlled by ultrasound to check the correct position. Similar to the breast biopsy, the hollow needle is “shot” at high speed into the corresponding area and a punch cylinder filled with tissue is removed.
After at least 10 procedures, more than 10,000 cells are removed from different areas of the prostate. After the examination there is not much to look for. The procedure is mostly without complications. Shortly afterwards, there may be slight pain, as well as problems with urination or blood in the urine.
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