Long term side effects of rectal prostate biopsy

Cancer
1

Hello does anyone know we what the long term effects of a prostate biopsy are. I have read that although rare they happen.

2

Hi Libralady,

There are a number of potential long-term side effects of biopsy. One, is, of course, infection. Some of the prophylactic antibiotics that they give (Cipro is one) to prevent infection can cause permanent tendon damage or even hearing loss (look under fluoroquinolones). The biopsy can also cause nerve damage which might affect erectile function. In addition, there are cases of antibiotic-resistant prostatitis, which can be difficult or impossible to cure. And last, there is a phenomenon called "tracking" which postulates that inserting the biopsy needle into a cancerous lesion and then withdrawing it and re-inserting elsewhere can actually spread the disease. A lot of urologists will deny that this is actually a valid thing, so you'll need to research and decide for yourself. I also urinated blood for several days after my biopsy, which they tell to to expect. Since then, I have found that there are other, less invasive tests that can give pretty accurate results, and I have availed myself of several of them.

You may want to do some research:

1. 4K Test (a urine test for genetic markers_

2. MDX Test similar to above

3. PCA3 Test similar to above

4 3T MRI. (My preference is to have this without the contrast medium, which contains heavy metals, esp gadolinium sulfate. There are currently class action lawsuits against the makers, and you can get a pretty decent MRI of the prostate without using it)

Hope this helps.

Best wishes,

Fred    

3

thanx for this information. primary sources are the best. wish i'd known the dangers before i had my MRI with and w/o contrast, but at least my instincts and research about trans-rectal biopsy are supported by your experience and research.

i'm about 80% persuaded to have prostatectomy based on the MRI report and if i do, i believe HIFU is the way to go. it's the least invasive and cleanest, meaning no radiation. unfortunately, there's only ONE doctor in the entire N. Calif. area who can use HIFU technology. not sure why, yet, but even he responded to my email (within 24 hrs!) requiring a biopsy and gleason score.

i've started another thread here, asking if biopsy is needed, when the PCa is obviously advanced (in my case, 2 large lesions, suspiciously large lymph nodes outside the prostate) and the MRI report concludes malignant neoplasm.

i'm 71 and have no sex-life anyway. my concern is staying alive, without a catheter bag, which for me is not an option. QOL issue that i'm loathe to even consider.

4

thanks for bringing up this issue. should uncover important info that is so frequently buried by too many doctors. i'm a solid believer in medical science; also know drs are not infallible, and certainly not maliciously motivated by vast sums of money from Big Pharma. 

thnx again.

5

Three years on and still having side effects from Sepsis, but Prostate being removed in 10 weeks so hopefully all problems will go with it.

6

will keep good thoughts for successful outcome of your surgery. what method did you decide on? 

7

I've had 2 with no long-term ill effects.

8

I am having Da Vinci Robotic surgery and the surgeon said he had removed 1840 Prostates with only one problem one which was due to additional difficulties, so his record is good. Normal time in hospital is 1.5 to 2 days. In my case he says at worst could be 3 days as I am being circumsized as well, which i am more fearful of.

David

9

brave soul! but probably a good idea; why go through recovery pains a 2nd time? i'd get well-stocked up on percoset for the post-op period. speedy recovery, friend!

10

Oh dear - why the circumcision? Was there really no less damaging alternative?

11

Thank you for your reply and an interesting and informative post.  

Some background on my husband had been under the hospital for approx 15 years with high psa and enlarged prostate.  During this time he has had 3 biospies and 3 or 4 MRI scans plus regular psa testing. He has a history of high and up and down psa levels.  The first 2 regular type biopsies were negative for cancer but showed some inflammation.  I would add at this point that after the 2nd biopsy he had a bad reaction to cipro given and was advised not to take it again. To bring you up to date he had the new type MRI scan earlier last year with the result Pirads 4 and we were told that it was most likely cancer.  He eventually had a saturation biopsy with I think 24 cores and once again nothing was found.  He was then given the choice of regular psa testing or to have a transperineal biopsy under GA.  I should add that the previous one was supposed to be done under general but the anaethetist  was not happy about putting him out as he has a very narrow windpipe and my husband was not keen on a local.  He has chosen not to have any more biopsies and at nearly 72 years of age with other health problems (diabetes and asthma/copd plus arthritis) I can understand why he feels like this.  In deed the last 18 months had been full of hospital visits and procedures for both of us.  My husband who never really asks questions when seeing a doctor was told after the last procedure that he might have loose bowels which might take a while to clear.  I did not specifically ask about digestive problems after biopsy just to see if anyone might mention it.  Now it is true that he did have some problems with looser stools which might be due to medications he is on plus Diabetes as he is not as strict as he should be on diet.  He does say so that it has got worse since the biopsy which was August last year no other problems after the procedure. I have urged him to see our GP and he has reluctantly made an appointment. 

12

Thank you for your reply.  If you read my reply to Fred you will see my husband's history re. prostate.  I do think that doctors generally should tell patients about risks short and long term when undertaking a procedure.  I have found that when it comes to medication they often don't mention side effects.  I suppose that they hope you won't get them but these days it is so easy to google medications side effects and interactions and make a choice based on their circumstance.  I was given a steroid nasal spray for rhinitis which worked a treat but I did query whether I should use it as I was worried about it affecting my glaucoma as I have been told by the eye hospital that I am a steroid responder.  I was assured it would be ok but when I had my routine eye check my eye pressures had gone up quite a bit and I decided with the knowledge of my gp to discontinue the spray.  When I returned 6 weeks later the pressures and gone down to base level.  Obviously I can't prove it but I am sure it was the spray.    Sorry if I have digressed.  As I mentioned in my reply to Fred I did not mention digestive problems as I was waiting to see if anyone might have experience of this.   Thanks 

13

So sorry to hear this.  I hope your surgery goes well and I wish all the best for the future.

14

Thanks Rich, I do think it is the only option so got to live in hope.

 

15

Pepasan,  The Prostatitis I have gives me numerous urine infections, and in the last 2 years they have been getting below my foreskin and then welding it to my penis, and it takes loads of creams and washes to free it, so they tell me that by being circumsized there is nowhere for infection to go in that area. I did ask about leaving it to see if removing the prostate cured the problem, but then was told I would need another op if not, and it would not be too painful if done with the prostate removal. It does make my eyes water even thinking of it, and I may raise a question on here to see of others who have had it done and their outcomes.

David

16

Thanks Libralady, I will update on here hopefully all the plusses .

David

17

Libralady,

Thanks for the update and additional information.

I have found it is quite useful to research all suggested treatments and then discuss them with my Internist/GP, so I think you are on the right track with that. Have also found diet to be extremely important, rather than just a peripheral issue.

Best of luck to your husband and you,

Fred

18

Hi  Supertractorman

my husband had a circumcision in his mid 50's due to recurring infection under foreskin and he never complained of any severe pain and recovered fully within a few weeks.  He is also having regular PSA levels taken as they fluctuate and he has a enlarged prostate.  We discussed and decided to decline a biopsy as his MRI was clear and showed no evidence of cancer. He is having regular PSA testing and will have the biopsy if these raise further or rapidly.

19

Surely you could apply a daily anti-septic cream to prevent adhesions. I've had a couple of times when the foreskin has partially re-attached, but it's only happened if I let my glans get too dry. I wouldn't let my foreskin be removed as easily as you seem to be doing!

20

Have been given loads of creams and washes but mine gets fixed all the way round. Recently tried a steroid cream which freed it very well.  It is so painful when it happens and just don't want to go through the rest of my life with this problem. OK I have been convinced to have everything done together for right or wrong, but my health has been misery for 6 years.