Category: Biopsy

Uh oh. All is not well in the world of prostate biopsy. The majority of needle biopsies for suspected prostate cancer (PCa) are performed by urologists using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guidance. This has been the conventional approach used for decades, but over time... keep reading

Who invented the microscope? Credit for putting multiple lenses in a tube in order to gain a magnified view goes to two Dutch lens makers in the 1590s, Zacharias Jansen and his father, Hans. One of the first uses of microscopy in medicine occurred around 1650 when... keep reading

In the ancient world, there were endless tales about the epic deeds of heroes like Jason, who set out with a band of fellow argonauts to find the Golden Fleece. Today, we know these deeds are myths, but we now have researchers conducting a very real, historic argosy for a liquid biopsy that could diagnose keep reading

Let’s say a real estate investor buys a dilapidated house, intending to tear it down and develop the property with a larger, up-to-date home. Since the house will be demolished, the investor decides to skip going through the rooms for an on-site inspection. If any furnishings were left behind, when the bulldozers come to do keep reading

No one can argue with the fact that the earlier prostate cancer (PCa) is diagnosed, the more treatment options there are, and chances for complete cancer control are improved. With this in mind, men are encouraged to get their PSA checked annually. If the test results in a suspiciously high or rising number, a doctor keep reading

Anxiety before a conventional TRUS (transrectal ultrasound guided) biopsy of the prostate is normal and natural. It’s no surprise that the prospect of being diagnosed with prostate cancer makes men nervous. However, it may come as a shock to know cancer is often not the main cause of pre-biopsy jitters. For a lot of men, keep reading

Did you ever shop for a dozen eggs and open the carton to make sure none are cracked? After assessing they’re all intact, that’s as far as your inspection goes. Now imagine you had x-ray vision, and you could see all 12 yolks in their 3-dimensional glory. You would know if each egg is perfect, keep reading

Your PSA blood test came back abnormally high. Your doctor says you might have prostate cancer (PCa) and wants to do a needle biopsy, but guess what? You have a choice. Either: a) He numbs you up and pokes your prostate gland with needles in order to extract tissue samples, or b) He sends you keep reading

There is universal agreement among prostate cancer (PCa) experts, educators, and support organizations that second opinions matter greatly. This applies to your biopsy slides, imaging results, and recommended treatment options. Authoritative sources offer consistent wisdom. For instance: The American Cancer Society urges all cancer patients to seek at least one other viewpoint. “Getting a second keep reading

Six years ago, we posted a blog about the PROMIS study, which delivered a one-two punch to conventional TRUS biopsies. That blog described a planned follow-on British study that would combine mpMRI with diagnostic biomarkers, in hopes of identifying men whose prostate cancer is so low-risk as to avoid a needle biopsy, and who can be safely monitored. To launch the study... keep reading