Biopsy
For those who had the procedure..How painfull was the biopsy.......
While I have not personally had the procedure, I have treated countless men who have. Some report that it was more of an assault to the senses, in terms of irritation along the walls of the rectum and the jarring sound of a staple gun as the tissue samples are being grabbed. Other men describe actual pain and regret not asking for a light tranquilizer beforehand to take the edge off. I have heard so many different accounts. I think it can't be dismissed how stressful an experience it must be to undergo a procedure meant to specifically look for cancer cells in any area of the body.
Thank you first of all for moderating this group. Secondly, I’ve only had one biopsy and I did my fair share of reading about it before hand. As a sidenote I am a sexual assault survivor from many years ago. The very concept caused me extreme anxiety. I had a very sensitive, well-qualified urologist who immediately said we can do this under sedation. So I can’t tell anybody what it’s like to have it done while you’re conscious, but from what I’ve read, from the men I’ve talked to via my blog you over the years,
The worst part for me was the probe for ultrasound. Only a few had any pain. It was an unpleasant experience, but not horrible. Very tolerable. I can’t imagine why anyone would need a tranquilizer unless you have a very low tolerance to pain.
I found it very uncomfortable. When I told my urologist I would be asking for something like the dental "twilight" sedative for any future biopsy, she flippantly said I'd tolerated it well.
Guy B. Meredith, moderator.
I have just learned to demand full disclosure before any procedures and I call the shots. We learn as we go.The urologist was not sympathetic with my interest in maintaining sexual function, either, and was uncomfortable talking about how we use the anatomy she deals with every day. I got pretty snarky with her and probably gave her quite an education.
Guy B. Meredith, moderator.
Personally I would get a new MD's vs a doc who suggests patients can tolerate the pain of a biopsy. That is just uncalled for. It is always interesting to me to see when MD's are on the receiving end of hospital care they suddenly become more sensitive to patient concerns. I have seen it many times. Dennis (ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
Has anyone ever had biopsies and found zero cancer? I have been wondering if it’s 100% legitimate.! I am sceptical of much testing when all parties are tied together.
Yes, it is common to find no cancer. Among other things, the needles are going in from a common angle and do not necessarily reach all parts of the prostate. Most men feel that doing imaging scans first to locate possible target for the biopsy should be the rule. Unfortunately, some or many insurance providers require a blind biopsy first. And in some cases, men just may not know what to demand even if insurance covers the imaging.
Without image guidance, the biopsy is pretty much an educated crap shoot. I had nodules that could be detected during the DRE so that provided useful targets.
Guy B. Meredith, moderator.Yes ... It can happen especially if the sampling does not hit a hot cancer spot . The upshot is you could have cancer and be told you are clear.
A guided biopsy vs a random sampling process can help insure that samples are taken in suspicious areas. When I did my biopsy and from the angle lklkk could see a screen that lite up several hot spots
