Transrectal Prostate Biopsy

Experts at Herzliya Medical Center’s Department of Urology carry out transrectal prostate biopsies in Israel. A prostate biopsy is performed using sophisticated methods, in order to reach a precise diagnosis of prostate cancer in Israel. The full name of the procedure is a transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy or TRUS-guided biopsy.

Indication for a Prostate Biopsy

A biopsy of the prostate allows medical professionals to distinguish an exact cause of abnormal prostate growth. A biopsy is considered the primary technique to obtain a differential diagnosis of prostate cancer to a benign prostate adenoma.

Key indicators that require a biopsy for further evaluation include:

• Difficulty urinating
• Lab tests reveal elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
• Lump found in a digital rectal examination (DRE)
• Abnormal findings in an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan

A transrectal procedure allows access to the prostate through the rectum and is a minimally invasive technique, which does not require an external surgical incision.

Biopsy Procedure of a Prostate Adenoma

Patients at HMC are provided with detailed guidance on how to best prepare for the biopsy procedure, which may include:

• Stopping drugs that reduce blood clotting (anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Rectum and bowel cleansing – cleansing enema patients undergo a day in advance of the day of the procedure
• Administration of a prophylactic antibiotic – taken 30-60 minutes before the biopsy is performed to prevent infection. Typically, continued use of an antibiotic is recommended for several days after the biopsy.

Prostate Cancer Biopsy at HMC

A transrectal prostate biopsy procedure requires only one session at Herzliya Medical Center in Israel. Patients are under local anesthesia during the procedure to remain pain-free throughout the process, avoiding significant discomfort.

The procedure is performed after anesthesia is administered and localized to the surgical area using a controlled ultrasound scanner, allowing urologists to precisely pinpoint suspicious tumor activity in the prostate gland. A biopsy needle enters the prostate tissue, extracting cylindrical samples for clinical examination. Samples retrieved are immersed in a preservative solution and sent to the laboratory for histological examination. It is generally recommended to collect approximately 10 samples from different areas of the prostate in order to get the most complete characterization of its histological structure. The biopsy procedure in Israel is typically completed in less than 10 minutes.

After just a few days following the procedure, soreness eases for patients and discomfort in the perineum and lower abdomen substantially subsides. Some patients experience a short period of bleeding from the rectum or light staining of urine, both of which symptoms that resolve without further medical intervention. However, if prolonged bleeding, local-tissue swelling, fever, difficulty urinating, or substantial pain are rare symptoms that require re-examination by a urologist.

Preventing Complications Post Biopsy

All diagnostic procedures conducted at Herzliya Medical Center in Israel are in a completely sterile environment. Treatment rooms and operating theaters are fully equipped with the most modern instruments and meet strict requirements for safety and international standards. The professional clinical setting, use of advanced technology, and doctors’ personalized treatment approach, aid in minimizing any likelihood of complications in the future.

Urologists at Herzliya Medical Center perform highly advanced prostate biopsy procedures in Israel that are minimally invasive, using robotic technology for attaining diagnosis and providing treatment for prostate cancer in Israel. The international department at Herzliya Medical Center helps patients throughout the entire treatment process in Israel, starting in patients’ home country and throughout their stay abroad and after the prostate biopsy is performed, aiding patients to understand the histological findings of screening and examination in an extremely short time.