A transrectal prostate biopsy involves sampling one or several small pieces of prostate tissue by going through the rectal wall (transrectal route).
Sampling is performed with the help of a special retractable needle. The doctor is guided by a transrectal ultrasound probe that makes it possible to visualize the sampling location.
A biopsy can be indicated when an anomaly has been detected by digital rectal exam, when PSA levels are high given a man’s age or when levels increase over time. This is the simplest way to sample prostate fragments without surgical intervention and to determine if prostate cancer is present..