How does the doctor determine how many samples to take in a prostate biopsy?
A. Initially, most doctors take six to eight samples. However, it is known that the first biopsy procedure misses the cancer in 20% of patients. Accordingly, in patients who continue to have a rising PSA level or other features that are worrisome for prostate cancer, more biopsies are taken during repeat procedures. The exact number taken depends upon how uncomfortable the patient finds the procedure and may include 15 to 20 samples.
Related Questions
- How or can a doctor tell if prostate cancer is confined to the prostate from a biopsy if the biopsy doesn include tissue surrounding and outside the prostate?
- Can total and transition zone volume of the prostate determine whether to perform a repeat biopsy?
- How does the doctor determine how many samples to take in a prostate biopsy?
