Study reveals what causes pain during prostate biopsy

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Pain during prostate biopsy can be understood and dealt with, say expert urologists.
A prostate biopsy is often needed to check for the presence of cancer in the case of an enlarged prostate gland and related symptoms. The procedure can evoke anxiety because of the anticipated pain. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have been looking into the factors that influence pain during prostate biopsy. They say that 16 per cent of men undergoing prostate biopsy experience significant pain and this is linked to where the biopsy site is.

Biopsy of the part of the prostate closest to the urethra, known as the apex, was more likely to cause pain than biopsy of the part near the bladder. The pain can, however, be controlled. Anesthetic infiltrated to the prostate apex and the surrounding rectal tissues is the best way of controlling pain. Men should be aware that a prostate biopsy cannot be completely painless - but they should expect it to be tolerable. They should talk to the urologist about anesthesia options and pain controls. And they should bear in mind that a complete and thorough sampling of the prostate is necessary for accurate diagnosis of any problem.

Source
American Urological Association meeting 14th September 2006

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