Prostate Cancer Awareness Series – By Wellnect India
🧠 Introduction: When Scans and Blood Tests Aren’t Enough
So far in this series, we’ve discussed how prostate cancer often progresses silently, and how tests like PSA and MRI help identify risks.
But there comes a point when doctors need to confirm whether a suspicious area is actually cancer.
That’s when the next critical step comes in — the biopsy.
In this Article, we’ll explain:
- What a biopsy is
- Why and when it’s needed
- How it’s performed
- And the difference between traditional biopsy methods and newer approaches
🔬 What Does “Biopsy” Actually Mean?
The word biopsy comes from Greek roots:
- “Bios” = life
- “Opsis” = to see or observe
So quite literally, biopsy means — “to observe life” — or in medical terms, to examine living tissue.
It is a procedure where a small sample of tissue is taken from the body (in this case, the prostate) and examined under a microscope by a pathologist to check for the presence of cancer cells.
✅ Why Is a Biopsy Important?
Tests like PSA and MRI can indicate there might be a problem, but only a biopsy can confirm the presence of prostate cancer.
It tells the doctor:
- Whether cancer cells are present
- What type of cancer it is
- How aggressive or fast-growing the cancer is (via a Gleason score)
- How to plan the right treatment
In short, no major decision about prostate cancer treatment is made without first doing a biopsy.
🧪 How Is a Prostate Biopsy Done?
Traditionally, a prostate biopsy is done using a method called:
Transrectal Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy (TRUS Biopsy)
Here’s how it works:
- The patient lies on their side, and a small ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum.
- Using real-time ultrasound imaging, the doctor identifies the prostate gland.
- A needle is then guided into different areas of the prostate to collect tissue samples.
- Usually, 10 to 12 samples are taken to cover the entire gland.
- These are sent to a lab for microscopic analysis.
The procedure takes about 20–30 minutes and is often done under local anesthesia.
⚠️ Are There Any Risks or Discomfort?
Like any procedure, prostate biopsy has a few minor side effects, such as:
- Mild bleeding in urine or semen (for a few days)
- Rectal discomfort
- Risk of urinary tract infection (in rare cases)
- Anxiety or stress before/after the procedure
Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics before and after the biopsy to reduce the risk of infection.
📉 Limitations of Traditional Biopsy
While TRUS biopsy is effective, it also has limitations:
| Problem | Description |
| Random sampling | Sometimes the needle misses the cancerous area |
| Over-diagnosis | May detect very low-risk cancers that don’t need treatment |
| Discomfort | Some men find it uncomfortable or embarrassing |
| Infection risk | Small chance of post-procedure infection |
That’s why in the next episode, we’ll explore how advanced technologies like Micro-Ultrasound are changing the game with more precise and real-time targeting.
💡 The Emotional Side: Why Men Hesitate
Many men in India (and globally) feel hesitant or afraid to go through a biopsy.
Some reasons include:
- Fear of the word “cancer”
- Embarrassment about the procedure
- Misunderstanding about the risks
- Worry about pain or long recovery
But the truth is, biopsy is a quick, safe, and life-saving test that can lead to early treatment and full recovery.
Avoiding it only gives cancer more time to grow.
🧠 Wellnect’s Message: A Biopsy Today Can Save a Life Tomorrow
We understand how sensitive prostate health can be.
That’s why Wellnect is committed to spreading awareness, supporting early diagnosis, and providing access to the latest, patient-friendly diagnostic tools.
Biopsy may sound scary, but it’s one of the most important steps in the fight against prostate cancer.
🔜 Coming Up Next
In Article 6, we’ll go deeper:
👉 What exactly is Micro-Ultrasound-guided biopsy?
👉 How is it better than traditional methods?
👉 Why are top urologists switching to this advanced technology?
Don’t miss it — because technology is transforming diagnosis like never before.