TRANSPERINEAL PROSTATE BIOPSY (TP BIOPSY)

A TP biopsy of the prostate is a procedure where the prostate is tested for the presence of cancer. TP stands for “transperineal”. The procedure is generally recommended for men who have a significant risk of having prostate cancer and are of an age group where treatment to cure the prostate cancer would be considered. In most cases, this means that the men will be between 40 and 75. Sometimes, older men are also recommended to undergo this test to see whether or not non-curative treatments, such as hormonal therapy, should be recommended. Most men who are recommended to undergo the test will have either a high prostate specific antigen (PSA) or an abnormal feeling prostate on rectal examination, or both. The TP biopsy is performed under general anaesthetic as a day procedure.  This means that the men who have the procedure will have no memory of undergoing this procedure and will not suffer any discomfort. Therefore, the procedure is done in conjunction with an anaesthetist in a hospital theatre. The anaesthetist will give antibiotics at the time of the biopsy. Serious infection is extremely rare compared to a transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy (TRUS Biopsy).  

WHAT DOES THE SURGERY INVOLVE?

Once the medication to cause sedation is given the procedure involves performing a digital examination followed by inserting the ultrasound probe into the rectum via the anus. The probe is a similar size to the finger. The ultrasound probe allows visualisation of the prostate and the biopsies can then be taken using a special needle, which takes a small core of tissue. The needle is passed through the perineum (skin between the scrotum and the anus) using a special guidance template.

TRANSPERINEAL PROSTATE BIOPSY (TP BIOPSY)
The number of biopsies taken depends on the size of the prostate. These are sent to the laboratory to be analysed for the presence of cancer by a specialist pathologist. The patient generally wakes up a few minutes after the procedure has been completed and will have no memory of the procedure-taking place. After an hour or so in recovery and provided they have passed urine, the patient will be discharged home and a follow-up appointment for one or two weeks will be made to see your Doctor in the rooms to discuss the results.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER THE PROCEDURE?

The majority of patients have no problems at all but it is important that you understand what may happen.

WHAT ABOUT DIET?

WHAT ABOUT EXERCISE/ACTIVITY?

WHAT ABOUT MEDICATIONS?

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS?

NOTIFY GM UROLOGY or your GP if you experience any of the following:

FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENT

Your follow up appointment is usually organised at the same time you procedure is booked. If an appointment time is not given to you on discharge from hospital, you will need to phone GM Urology to make an appointment.
If you have any queries please contact GM Urology on 03 5201 7000 during business hours OR leave a message on the After Hours Urology Paging Service 03 9387 1000