What you need to know about:

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) and Prostate Biopsy

Fast Fact

89%

Worth It Rating

Average Cost:

Please Enquire

Recovery Period:

6 weeks

Permanence:

Depends on patient condition

177

Doctors

Time it takes:

20 to 40 minutes

Hospitals & Clinics

Reviews

Anesthetize:

Local anesthetic

Check treatment prices & reviews

Overview of

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) and Prostate Biopsy

in Thailand

A transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and biopsy of the prostate is the procedure to take a small tissue sample from your prostate gland. In order to take the biopsy, a special ultrasound probe is passed into the rectum to scan and take pictures of the prostate. A prostate biopsy involves passing a needle through the scanning probe, into the prostate, to remove a small core of tissue.

Goals of

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) and Prostate Biopsy

A transrectal ultrasound is often used to help diagnose prostate cancer if the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level is high, the doctor feels an abnormal area during a digital rectal exam (DRE), prostate cancer is suspected after a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy, or a man has certain symptoms, such as trouble urinating. A transrectal ultrasound is done to: -Look for abnormal areas in the prostate -Guide a needle during a biopsy to collect samples from the prostate -Look at the size and shape of the prostate

Price of

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) and Prostate Biopsy

Average Cost

Please Enquire

Price Range

Please Enquire

Pros and cons of

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) and Prostate Biopsy

Pros

The TRUS biopsy is more reliable than the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Ultrasound guidance helps to ensure that the samples are taken from within the prostate, which will then be further sent to a specialized laboratory for testing in order to determine either the presence or the absence of prostate cancer. Although the ultrasound images cannot visualize the tumors themselves, the usage of advanced multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fused with TRUS biopsy has raised hopes of being able to take targeted biopsies from lesions themselves, with clinical significance for the patient.

Cons

-One of the principal disadvantages is that a TRUS biopsy has a false-negative rate of up to 30%. Main reason is that the samples are essentially taken blindly due to the unknown location of the tumor. However, the standard systematic biopsy which takes 12 tissue cores from the prostate picks up only about half of all tumor foci, with a sensitivity of only 53%. The false-negative rate and the dependence upon blind sampling means that if the original symptoms persist, or the PSA level remains high or rises, a repeat biopsy is required. Repeat biopsies are now often recommended to be performed under MRI guidance (using multiparametric MRI) alone, or in combination with ultrasound. The transperineal route of biopsy is also shown to increase the accuracy of detection of cancers of the prostate, especially from the anterior and transitional zone.

How it works:

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) and Prostate Biopsy

First, you lie down on your left side. Your specialist injects local anesthetic into your rectum, to numb the area. It makes the procedure as painless as possible. The doctor puts an ultrasound probe into your rectum to examine your prostate. To get the samples of prostate tissue, they push the fine needle along the ultrasound probe and into the prostate gland. This is a little uncomfortable and might be painful, but does not take long. You feel a slight jolt each time the doctor fires the needle. The procedure takes about 15-30 minutes.

Preparation before

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) and Prostate Biopsy

Pre - treatment

A transrectal ultrasound biopsy is usually have under local anesthetic, so you can generally eat and drink normally beforehand. In case if doing under sedations, you need to fast before the procedure as doctor’s recommendation. You may need to undergo some tests before the procedure, such as blood tests, chest x-ray, and electrocardiogram (EKG). You may take your normal medication unless your doctor says otherwise. Blood-thinning medications like warfarin and aspirin will need to be stopped before the procedure to prevent excessive bleeding. Please let your doctor know about all medication you are taking. You may receive oral or intravenous antibiotics to prevent infection. You will be given an enema to empty your bowels for the biopsy.

Recovery after

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) and Prostate Biopsy

Post - treatment

After the procedure: -You will be given antibiotic tablets and painkillers to take after the procedure. -You should aim to drink fluids as much as you can to help flush your urinary system. -You may experience some perineal pain or discomfort after the procedure. -You can expect to see some blood in your urine for 1-2 days following the biopsies. You may notice some blood in your semen for six weeks to three months. If the bleeding becomes excessive, prolonged or if you start to pass blood clots then you should seek medical attention. -Occasionally swelling may occur in the prostate gland as an inflammatory response to the biopsies being taken. This can cause difficulty in passing urine and may very occasionally cause the ability to pass urine to stop completely. This is known as urinary retention and you would then need a catheter inserted to drain your bladder for a few days. -You may also find that it may sting or irritate the urethra the first few times that you pass urine after the biopsy. -If you develop flu-like symptoms within 24 hours of the biopsies being taken (fever, cold shivers, general aching) you should seek medical assistance immediately. -You can usually return to work the day after you have been discharged from hospital, if you feel ready to do so. It may be difficult sitting down for prolonged periods of time for the first 2-3 days. -The biopsy result will approximately some few days to be sent back from the pathology laboratory. Your consultant will make a follow-up arrangement for you before you are discharged from the hospital.

Risks & side effects

-Infection (Two in 100 men will experience this.) There is a risk of infection at the biopsy site because the rectum wall is not sterile. The doctor will prescribe you antibiotics before and after your biopsy to reduce this risk. If you have a high fever, please contact your doctor. -Bleeding in the urethra or bladder wall (often know as urinary clot retention) for five in 100 men experience this. This can cause a hematoma (blood blister), which can make it difficult for you to pass urine, or make you pass urine frequently. If you are unable to pass urine at all you should contact your doctor. -Blood in your urine. Most patients will have some blood in their urine for two to three weeks after this procedure. If this continues for longer, please contact your doctor. -Bleeding from rectum. This common and eight out of 10 men will experience this during the first two days after the biopsy, but should not last more than two weeks. If you have heavy bleeding or start passing large clots of blood at any time following the procedure, please contact your doctor. -Blood in your semen. Most patients will have some blood in their semen for up to six weeks after this procedure. If this continues for longer, please contact your doctor.

FAQs:

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) and Prostate Biopsy

Am I allowed to travel after my procedure?

If you are taking any blood-thinning medication/anticoagulant, please let your doctor know as some may need to be stopped before you travel for the procedure. Travelers to Thailand should plan to stay in the country for at least one week or for the entire duration of treatment. If you plan to return home after the procedure, please speak to your doctor before making travel arrangements. There are no restrictions for air travel. During your follow-up appointment your medical team will assess your health and your incision and you will receive documents detailing your medical and treatment history and your "Fit to Fly" certificate (if needed).

‍

Will there be any after effects?

Although the test does not require a general anaesthetic, most men find it reassuring if a friend or relative accompanies them and is available to take them home. You will be asked to finish the course of antibiotics. This helps to prevent infection. DO NOT drink alcohol while taking them. We also ask you to wait to pass urine before you go home, as occasionally some men find it difficult to void. It is also not uncommon to experience bleeding. You may notice blood in your urine for a few days, blood on wiping your bottom for a day or two and blood in the semen for several weeks. This is all normal and should settle down.

Find Your Package