Prostate cancer is a common form of cancer that affects men across the world. It is typically found in older men. Like most forms of cancer it can be controlled or even eliminated if it is caught early enough. An operation may be used to remove the gland completely, especially if the patient is beyond the age at which he wishes to reproduce. Men beyond the age of 40 are subjected to regular tests for various different markers associated with common diseases and common forms of cancer. For the prostate, the antigen PSA is measured. This tends to be elevated when there is cancer in the prostate gland. It could be elevated by other conditions making it not completely reliable and only an indicator of possible cancer.
For an accurate diagnosis, a prostate biopsy needs to be performed. A biopsy procedure is one that is used to collect tissue samples from an organ or a part of the body. It is either conducted by using a biopsy needle or by using an open surgery where the tissue required could be accessed. The biopsy needles tend to be larger than normal needles and can be quite painful when inserted into the body. For this reason many biopsy procedures are conducted under local, partial or general anesthesia. The use of anesthesia is important in reducing the discomfort felt by a patient. It is also essential for making sure that the patient remains still during the procedure, thereby reducing the risk of any injury associated with a sudden movement on the part of the patient.
When it comes to prostate biopsy preparation, there are only a few steps necessary. The first step is the consultation with the doctor where the patient should list all the different medications being consumed. After this, a date will be set with the doctor for the procedure to be performed. The patient does not need to check into hospital unless the doctor has recommended the use of general anesthesia. Another important part of a prostate biopsy preparation is the use of an enema. This is because the access point is generally from the rectum. The colon thus needs to be cleared of any fecal matter which would interfere with the procedure. Once the procedure is complete, the patient will be allowed to return home immediately, unless general anesthesia has been used. In this case the patient should have a companion present to accompany him home.