Targeted Biposies

colorectal-surgery-la-peer-healthOne of the best ways to fight prostate cancer is by getting screened early and often. Although prostate cancer is estimated to affect 1 in 6 males, only 1 in 36 will die from the disease. Thanks to new screening technologies and a better understanding of the disease, prostate cancer is easier to treat than ever before. If patients are screened before their cancer becomes symptomatic, successful treatment can raise their chance of recovery and allow them to live out their full lives in peace and comfort.

At La Peer Health Systems, our expert doctors utilize state-of-the-art techniques and technology to better identify, diagnose, and treat prostate cancer. If you would like to be screened for the disease, please contact our prostate cancer specialists at 855.360.9119 today.

TARGETED BIOPSIES FOR PROSTATE CANCER SCREENINGS

When screening for prostate cancer, the expert urologists at La Peer Health Systems are able to perform targeted biopsies, screening methods that are more extensive and accurate than traditional prostate cancer screening technologies.

Traditionally, needle biopsies are used when diagnosing prostate cancer in males. During a needle biopsy, urologists insert a tiny needle into the prostate and remove tissue samples. These tissue samples are then examined for the presence of prostate cancer. Though needle biopsies have been somewhat effective, they are less-than-ideal for accurately and definitively identifying prostate cancer. Because urologists can’t actually see the prostate when performing a needle biopsy, it’s possible that the needle will miss the cancerous portion of the gland entirely. Instead of removing cancerous cells from the prostate, the needle might remove healthy cells instead, giving doctors the impression that patients are cancer-free even though this may not be the case. An estimated 38% of prostate cancers are misidentified by needle biopsies, which increases the need for new, more-accurate screening methods.

Targeted biopsies help alleviate the issue of false-negatives that frequently occur when performing a needle biopsy. At La Peer Health Systems, we offer two forms of targeted biopsies: MRI fusion-targeted biopsies and ultrasound high-yield saturation biopsies. Though they may slightly differ in how they are performed, these targeted biopsies are much more exact in giving an accurate prostate cancer diagnosis.

MRI FUSION-TARGETED BIOPSY

An MRI fusion-targeted biopsy effectively removes the guesswork present during a needle biopsy. During an MRI fusion-target biopsy, doctors use a combination of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to reduce the chance of receiving a false-negative reading.

When performing an MRI fusion-targeted biopsy, urologists at La Peer Health Systemscreate a 3D image of the prostate using magnetic resonance imaging. This image is then superimposed onto an ultrasound image of the prostate, allowing for the differentiation of cancerous cells from healthy tissue cells. A needle biopsy is then performed on these cancerous regions of the prostate, ensuring an accurate and comprehensive screening.

ULTRASOUND HIGH-YIELD SATURATION BIOPSY

An ultrasound high-yield saturation biopsy is another method for screening for prostate cancer. Similar to a normal biopsy, an ultrasound high-yield biopsy involves the removal of prostate tissue through the use of a needle. It differs, however, in the quantity of tissue samples being removed. Instead of only taking one tissue sample, which may or may not be accurately representative of cancer’s presence within the gland, an ultrasound high-yield saturation biopsy obtains more than twenty samples. By taking such a high number of samples, a high-yield saturation biopsy is better able to give accurate results.

Both MRI fusion-targeted biopsies and ultrasound high-yield saturation biopsies are incredibly useful in identifying prostate cancer in its early stages. When prostate cancer is diagnosed early, the prostate cancer specialists at La Peer Health Systems can determine the best course of action and the ideal treatment methods for each specific patient.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Do prostate biopsies hurt?
A: Before undergoing a biopsy, patients are administered with a numbing medication. After the procedure is performed, patients may experience sensitivity where the tissue sample was taken.

Q: Who should get an MRI fusion-targeted biopsy?
A: Men with high levels of PSA are the ideal candidates for an MRI fusion-targeted biopsy. PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, a substance produced by the prostate. High levels of PSA may be indicative of prostate cancer.

Q: Who is a good candidate for an ultrasound high-yield saturation biopsy?
A: Ultrasound high-yield saturation biopsies are ideal for younger patients with a high level of PSA in the bloodstream. Before undergoing any target biopsy procedure, however, it’s important for patients to consult with a prostate cancer specialist, who can provide specific details and instructions regarding screening methods.

CONTACT LA PEER HEALTH SYSTEMS TODAY

At La Peer Health Systems, our urologists are experts at performing targeted biopsies. If you have been previously tested for prostate cancer and the results have come up negative, or if you have high levels of PSA, you may be an ideal candidate for a targeted biopsy screening. Contact the urology team at La Peer Health Systems to schedule a consultation with an expert surgeon today. As with all cancers, easily identification is critical in providing successful treatment measures against the disease. Call us today at 885.360.9119.

Next, read about Bladder Cancer.