Prostate Gland Needle Biopsy

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Discharge
• Inpatient
• Precare
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

A prostate gland needle biopsy is a procedure to remove samples of tissue from your prostate gland. The prostate is a gland located just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra (tube that carries urine out of the body).

HOW TO PREPARE:

Before your procedure:

• Arrange to have someone drive you home after your procedure.
• Tell your surgeon about all medicines you currently take. He or she will tell you if you need to stop any medicine before your procedure, and when to stop. He or she will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of your procedure.

The night before your procedure:

You may be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight.

The day of your procedure:

• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives healthcare providers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
• Healthcare providers may insert an intravenous tube (IV) into your vein. A vein in the arm is usually chosen. You may be given liquids or medicine through the IV.
• You may be given an enema (liquid medicine put in your rectum) to help empty your bowel.
• An anesthesiologist will talk to you before your surgery. You may need medicine to keep you asleep or numb an area of your body during surgery. Tell healthcare providers if you or anyone in your family has had a problem with anesthesia in the past.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN:

What will happen:

• You may be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. You may instead be given spinal anesthesia to numb the surgery area. You may still feel pressure or pushing during surgery, but you will not feel any pain. Numbing gel or shots of numbing medicine may also be given near your prostate to numb the area.
• A small tube with a camera will be put into your rectum to show pictures of your prostate on a monitor. A biopsy needle will be put in through your rectum into your prostate gland. A small sample of tissue will be removed with the needle. Your surgeon may take between 6 to 12 samples of tissue from different areas of your prostate gland. A new needle will be used to take each tissue sample. Each sample will be sent to a lab.

After your procedure:

You will be able to rest until you are fully awake. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay. Once healthcare providers see that you are not having any problems, you may be able to go home.

CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:

• You are late or cannot make it to your procedure.
• You have a fever.

Risks

You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. Your bladder, prostate, urethra, and nearby tissues or organs may be damaged during the procedure. You may have bruises on your rectum. You may have blood in your urine, bowel movements, or semen. If you have prostate cancer, the biopsy may not show the cancer. The biopsy may show cancer when there is no cancer in your prostate gland. You may need another prostate biopsy.

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