MRI Fusion Prostate Biopsy
Information for Patients
What is the prostate gland?
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It is similar in size to a golf ball and surrounds the tube responsible for emptying urine from the bladder (the urethra).
It is considered normal for the prostate to swell with age. However, if the swelling is extreme, it can obstruct the urethra, making it more challenging to pass urine. This swelling is referred to as benign prostate enlargement (BPE), which is a treatable condition.
What is the prostate responsible for?
The prostate secretes a dense white liquid that blends with the sperm from inside the testicles to produce semen. It's also responsible for creating a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA minimises the thickness of the semen, making it less dense and more liquid.
Does a transwoman have a prostate?
In short, yes. If you identify as a transwoman or non-binary assigned male from the time of birth, you will have a prostate gland. A few transwomen may choose to undergo gender reassignment surgery, which entails converting the male anatomy to a female anatomy, a process that involves removing the penis and testicles. However, the procedure does not involve the removal of the prostate.
If you are on testosterone blockers or hormones, these may minimise the likelihood of prostate cancer by reducing testosterone levels. Still, it’s important to receive regular prostate checks, especially if you develop any known symptoms or remain at high risk of prostate cancer.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer refers to a condition whereby cancer cells develop within the prostate, turning into a malignant tumour. If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it’s important to know there are treatment and management options available.
What are the potential risk factors for prostate cancer?
- Age
- Family history of prostate cancer.
- Overweight/obese
- Hormone profiles
- An unhealthy diet consisting of processed foods, fatty foods and foods high in sugar content
What are the stages of prostate cancer?
The stages of prostate cancer may be hard to understand, but it’s generally categorised by numbers 1 to 4.
These stages include:
- Stage 1: The tumour remains confined to the prostate and is described as "localised." The cancer remains in its early stage and is too tiny to be detected during a prostate check.
- Stage 2: The tumour rests within the prostate and can be picked up during a prostate check.
The tumour is also visible on a scan and remains at risk of spreading. - Stage 3: The tumour has begun to break through the prostate wall, and the cancer may have
spread to the tubes that secrete semen. This stage is termed “locally advanced cancer”
because the cancer has spread just outside the prostate but has not yet advanced to other
parts of the body. - Stage 4: The tumour has migrated outside the prostrate. This means the cancer cells may be
present near the bladder in the neck or urinary sphincter, the rectum or pelvic floor muscle. - Metastatic disease & metastasis: Prostate cancer is at risk of travelling to localised lymph nodes,
bones and even organs (lungs, liver and brain). The spread of cancer to other areas of the body
is referred to as “metastasis.”
What are the signs of prostate cancer?
During the early stages, prostate cancer may not present with symptoms. Symptoms may only occur during an advanced stage of prostate cancer, which includes:
- Trouble passing urine
- Weak urine stream
- Traces of blood in urine
- Traces of blood in semen
- Pain in the bone, usually the back
- Unexplainable weight loss
- Erectile dysfunction
How do I test for prostate cancer?
- Digital rectal exam
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test
- MRI scan
- CT scan
- Trans-Rectal Ultrasound biopsy (TRUS)
- MRI-fusion prostate biopsy
How do you perform an MRI-fusion prostate biopsy?
- Firstly, a prostate MRI is conducted. The radiologist checks these images for areas that contain cancer.
- Next, an ultrasound is performed whereby a tiny lubricated ultrasound probe is inserted within the rectum.
- Fusion biopsy technology blends ultrasound images and MRI images, a fusion that helps create a clear picture of the prostate gland in order to locate suspicious regions in the prostate.
- Dr Ras relies on prostate MRI and ultrasound images to obtain a tissue sample from the prostate taken with a needle. The tissue sample is sent to the laboratory, where specialists review the sample and determine whether it’s cancerous.
Dr Ras, a skilled urologist who is knowledgeable on the topic of prostate cancer and has training in MRI-fusion prostate biopsy, is well-versed in the procedure.
For more information, visit Dr Ras’ website: https://joburgurologist.co.za/
What can the patient expect after an MRI fusion prostate biopsy?
After an MRI-fusion prostate biopsy, the patient can expect mild to moderate discomfort and an increase in urine frequency. They may also experience traces of blood in their semen or urine several days after the procedure.
Postoperative aftercare guidelines are supplied to the patient to help with their recovery. A follow-up appointment is scheduled shortly to discuss the biopsy results.
