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Possible Prostate Cancer: Are there side effects of MRI fusion biopsy?
This past November my primary care Dr discover a lump in my prostate during a digital exam. He referred me to a urologist who scheduled an MRI of my prostate which showed a Pi-Rads 3 lesion. In March I am scheduled for an MRI fusion biopsy. I am 69 years old, my PSA is 4 which jumped from 3 within a year. I am not experiencing any real symptoms except having to get up occasionely in the middle of the night to urinate & occasionely feel as though my bladder is not totally empty. I am not in any pain or discomfert. I am in good health otherwise & active. The urologist also diagnosed me with BPH. Are there any side effects of this fusion biopsy that I should be aware of as the urologist was not very forthcoming in explaining this procedure. Any advice would be very much appreciated.
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@yarddogman
Per my experience with this not doing a MRI first would have made me questioned why not. Transrectal is not the state of art method of today. It is done a lot as does not require the same surgical setting, anesthesia, prep, anesthesiologist.
I hope you are seeing an experienced urologist and it is at a medical center that is a major center with extensive knowledge and experience with biopsies and PC.
What I can pass on was the rectal swab is taken to get what antibiotic best for you based on the bacteria and germs present in your colon. I had a antibiotic shot that when they did the Space/Oar and markers but done transperineally.
I was given antibiotic when I had biopsies done transperineally but was put out so don't remember how administered through I.V. or shot as was asleep.
I just had the fusion biopsy and asked the surgeon about the perineum approach, but he does not use it, went through the rectum.
It took about 3-5 days to recover, had to take AZO to calm down the inflammation and pain, helped to get the urine flow going. I took Tylenol also, lots of water, but would suggest taking a laxative pill earlier in the recovery, as that first bowel movement was painful and tough. No real bleeding in stool, minor amount in urine day 1. I took time off from my usual exercise routine, not forcing or lifting anything heavy as advised.
Now I'm onto the special CT with IV tracer to see if the cancer has spread anywhere, as the dr. said the 3 of 15 core samples was a more aggressive kind of cell type.
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1 ReactionI sent my DNA off to the Promise research center and this is their newsletter.
Prostate Promise Newsletter 2 2026 (Prostate-Promise-Newsletter-2-2026.pdf)
@drcopp
I would really question the competence of that doctor When it comes to doing a biopsy. I have had three of them and had no side effects at all from them. Guess my doctor was a lot more experienced. Hopefully the guy you’re going to has a lot more experience about other things. You might want to get a second opinion from someone else just to make sure.
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@drcopp
How long ago did you do this? The Promise study has been closed for about a month when it comes to doing free Hereditary, genetic tests. I know a number of people who’ve been turned away.
They actually accepted you for the free test recently? Were you able to do this through their website?
Hi Jeff:
About a month ago, when I first heard about it here. It was totally free and I did it through their website. I also took another genetic test offered through my medical center here at home. Each test checked for different kinds of cancers and inherited ones. The only one was the prostate for me.
Well, I went to my Urologist's office today for a "swab" & as suspected the biopsy will be done transrectal. I asked the nurse how many core samples would be taken & he said he believes 12. I'll have to go with that as I didn't see the Dr. Now it's a waiting game to find out what antibiotics(s) I will have to take & for the procedure which is scheduled for March 9. Also, I was told that I will NOT be allowed to drive home.
"....per rectal biopsies are substandard care in the UK"
1) 3-4% hospitalization from infections'2) The anterior lobe cancer though infrequent cannot be accessed.
3) Targeting the main lesion(s) with ultrasonic MRI fused guidance is better than random 12 pokes.
4) General anesthesia may be needed for the short procedure.
Go to a center of cancer excellence (CCOE) and get state of art techniques.
BTW: Get the A) EpiSwitch (PSE) test 94% accurate, B) get an MRI AI reread with 'MALE SCAN' [Precision ProstateAssociates.com] .When you get the Perineal Biopsy: AND treatment recommended
C) get the DECIPHER genomics tissue test
D) ARTERRA artificial intelligence look at biopsy slides to compare with thousands of others
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1 Reaction@thmssllvn
Unable to get to website in #4 B) above
Mayo Clinic Connect
I incorrectly listed it from memory. precisionprostateconsulting.org
if the transferred file from your MRI facility is unreadable then the fee of $259.00 will be waived. First register with them then have the facility send them the digital file.