What Are Templates Taken From Prostrate

Your urologist has recommended you for a template biopsy of your prostate. This blazon of biopsy uses a grid (template), with tissue samples extracted through holes in the grid. Each hole correlates to numbers and messages, not dissimilar to a map grid. This means tissue samples can be taken from the prostate in a very precise and specific manner.

You may have already had standard biopsies and your urologist requires further, more precise biopsies.

Why a template biopsy?

A template biopsy is the not the simply type of biopsy we use. You may have had, or have been offered, a TRUS biopsy (trans-rectal ultrasound guided). This is the standard prostate biopsy, which involves inserting a probe via the rectum and collecting needle samples via the probe.

The TRUS biopsy can sometimes be inconclusive. It collects fewer tissue samples than the template biopsy (commonly 12) achieving a far lower overall level of accuracy. It is carried out under local anaesthetic and some patients find the TRUS process uncomfortable and in some cases, painful.

If the result of the TRUS biopsy is negative, but there is a loftier suspicion that there may be cancer nowadays, a template biopsy will offered.

Template biopsy and the way we assess prostate cancer

The template biopsy delivers a much higher level of precision. We but continue to biopsy in one case the following assessments have taken place:

The standard PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
DRE (Digital Rectal Examination)
Enhanced prostate MRI.

Therefore, nosotros only keep to biopsy at a stage when there is a strong indication that cancer is present in the prostate.

Consequently, we require a biopsy which is highly accurate and is much less likely to evangelize false negatives.

Types of template biopsy

There are broadly two different types of template biopsy: a saturation template biopsy and a targeted template biopsy. The blazon used depends on the intention of the procedure.

A targeted template biopsy is used if the intention is to focus on one function of the prostate (commonly identified on MRI) this volition give the urologist more data prior to commencing handling.
A saturation template biopsy is used if the intention is to appraise the whole of the prostate, mapping every role, taking up to 50 tissue samples.

Having a template biopsy: what to await

We e'er acquit out template biopsies under a general anaesthetic (GA). This means that y'all won't be able to drive for 48 hours, so you lot will need someone to drive you habitation from infirmary or brand some arrangements for transport home. You will also need to ensure that somebody stays with you overnight post-obit the procedure.

In one case yous are asleep, a catheter is inserted to bear witness exactly where the urethra is (the tube that carries urine from the float to the penis) and this ensures the urologist avoids placing any needles in the urethra.

The urologist is guided by the images from your MRI scan which is mapped confronting the prostate. Betwixt 20 to 50 needle samples are taken (the number depending on whether you lot are having a saturation biopsy, which uses a higher number, or a targeted biopsy, the lower number). After all the tissue samples accept been taken, the catheter is removed.

The template biopsy procedure takes approximately 20 minutes.

When will I receive the results of my template biopsy?

You will receive an engagement to come into clinic to discuss your results with your Urologist nigh two to three weeks later on your procedure. They will explain the results of your template biopsy, what they mean in terms of management and treatment options and all other considerations.

Ref: xviii-19-134
Review: Mar 21