When it comes to fighting prostate cancer, early detection is key, as treatment is most effective when cancer is still in its early stages. While routine screenings may be used to detect indications of prostate cancer, the final diagnosis is made with a prostate biopsy. Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA) provides cancer treatment at more than 20 locations near you in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Learn more about the prostate biopsy process.
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the prostate. This gland is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum in males. It is responsible for producing the fluid that nurtures and carries semen.
Cancer is characterized by abnormal cell growth. Healthy cells reproduce at a steady rate. In cancer, a genetic mutation alters the instructions that govern cell reproduction. This causes out-of-control cell growth that crowds out healthy cells.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men, second only to skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, 12% of men will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lifetimes. For all these cases, early detection is key. The sooner prostate cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options are available and the more effective they are likely to be.
Almost all cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed with a prostate biopsy. Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests and medical imaging may detect signs of the disease, only a prostate biopsy can confirm the presence of cancer. A biopsy is also valuable for determining the cancer’s characteristics, which can help urologists and oncologists select the most appropriate treatment options.
To perform a prostate biopsy, the physician uses a hollow needle, called a core needle, to remove small cylinders of tissue from the prostate. The needle may be inserted via two different approaches:
Multiple samples are typically taken in order to evaluate different areas of the prostate. These samples are sent to a laboratory, where a medical pathologist uses a microscope to evaluate them. The pathologist examines the samples to determine whether cancerous cells are present, how many there are, and how abnormal they appear.
Prostate biopsy is most often performed when a man’s symptoms, PSA results, physical examination findings, or other indicators raise concern about prostate cancer. The test rules out other possible causes and provides an accurate diagnosis. Patients may be referred for a biopsy due to:
Routine prostate cancer screening is performed with a PSA test. This test uses a blood sample to check the level of prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate. Higher-than-normal levels of this protein in the blood can be a sign of prostate cancer, a urinary tract infection, recent ejaculation, or other causes. If screening detects elevated PSA levels, a prostate biopsy may be requested to investigate the cause.
A digital rectal exam (DRE) is another screening test for prostate cancer. The physician inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the patient’s rectum to feel for any lumps, bumps, or hardened areas on the prostate. These may indicate a tumor. If physicians feel anything unusual during a DRE, they may request a biopsy to test for cancer.
Early-stage prostate cancer does not always cause symptoms. As the tumor grows, however, it can begin to interfere with urination and sexual function. This may result in one or more of the following signs and symptoms of prostate cancer:
While symptoms such as frequent urination or loss of bladder control often are caused by symptoms other than cancer, it is important to have a physician evaluate them promptly. And if the physician’s evaluation raises concerns about prostate cancer, a biopsy can provide definitive information.
Prostate biopsies are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning that an overnight hospital stay is not required. A transrectal biopsy involves the following steps:
About 12 samples are taken in order to obtain tissue from different parts of the prostate. The entire procedure takes about 10 minutes. It typically is not painful, though the patient may experience some lingering soreness or blood in his ejaculate for a few days. If the soreness gets worse, any bleeding does not stop, or signs of infection develop, the patient should alert his healthcare provider.
The steps are similar for a transperineal biopsy, but the needle is inserted through the skin between the scrotum and rectum (the perineum) and is guided using ultrasound. This procedure may involve local or general anesthesia. This approach takes a little longer to perform than a transrectal biopsy.
After the procedure, core samples are sent to a medical laboratory for examination. The final report typically takes a few days to complete and includes the following information:
The first section details whether cancer cells were found on any biopsy samples. If cancer cells were identified, the test is positive.
If cancer is found, it is assigned a Gleason score. This measure describes how abnormal the cells look under a microscope. In calculating the Gleason score, pathologists pick the two biopsy samples in which cancer was most extensive. They add the grades for those two samples together to determine the patient’s Gleason score. The more abnormal the cells appear, the more aggressive the cancer is likely to be. Gleason scores can be understood as follows:
Cancer cells also may be tested for other characteristics. This can help physicians determine which treatments, such as hormone therapy, may be most effective in treating the cancer.
The oncologists of RCCA do not screen for prostate cancer or perform prostate biopsies in patients with suspected prostate cancer. However, they provide comprehensive care to patients who have been diagnosed with the disease, offering cutting-edge treatment at more than 20 locations near you across New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Contact RCCA today to schedule an appointment.
What are the early signs of prostate cancer?
Early-stage prostate cancer does not usually cause symptoms. Symptoms tend to appear later and include difficulty urinating, frequent urination, blood in the urine or semen, and sexual dysfunction.
When do I need a prostate biopsy?
Prostate biopsy may be recommended for patients who have had an abnormal PSA test, an abnormal digital rectal exam, or who are experiencing symptoms of prostate cancer.
What treatments are available for prostate cancer?
The best prostate cancer treatment for a particular patient depends on a variety of factors. Options include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, cryotherapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.
What is a Gleason score?
A Gleason score uses a scale of 2 to 10 to describe the degree to which cancer cells look abnormal under a microscope. Higher scores indicate more-abnormal cells, which are more likely to spread aggressively.
What are targeted therapies for cancer?
Targeted therapy is a treatment that attacks cancer cells or the processes that drive the production and spread of those cells while sparing healthy tissue. Whenever appropriate to a specific patient’s situation, RCCA prioritizes these treatments because they tend to deliver positive results with fewer side effects than chemotherapy.
While there are many unknowns with prostate cancer, one thing’s for certain: The team at Regional Cancer Care Associates will take good care of you. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer or you’re just looking for more information about your personal risk, schedule an appointment at your local RCCA office to learn more about possible prostate cancer causes and risk factors.
An innovative approach to administering radiation therapy via infusion is helping patients with advanced prostate cancer live longer while maintaining their quality of life, say two
Frequent urination can be a common experience, but when it becomes disruptive, it may indicate an underlying condition. At Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), we
One of the most effective ways to treat cancer is to harness the power of the body’s own immune system. This method is called immunotherapy.
Regional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
