Prostate Biopsy for Prostate Cancer

Dr Kooner's preferred approach: transperineal biopsy with MRI fusion

A prostate biopsy is the test used to diagnose prostate cancer. It is usually recommended when a patient has a raised PSA, an abnormality felt on digital rectal examination, or a suspicious area seen on prostate MRI. Dr Kooner's current preferred approach is a transperineal prostate biopsy with MRI fusion targeting.

This approach is used because:

• The biopsy needles pass through the perineal skin between the scrotum and back passage, avoiding passage through the bowel and lowering the risk of infection.
• MRI fusion technology allows suspicious areas seen on MRI to be matched with live ultrasound images during the biopsy, so those areas can be sampled directly.¹
• Needle position can be checked in both cross-sectional and longitudinal views, helping guide accurate sampling while limiting unnecessary tissue trauma.

Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (TRUS) under sedation remains available in selected cases where it is the more appropriate option after individual assessment.

For more detail about the procedure, MRI fusion targeting, recovery and risks, read the dedicated transperineal prostate biopsy page.