Prostate Biopsy pain minimized…

A new study at the Mayo Clinic has found that injecting an anesthetic at some points can decrease pain during prostate biopsy.

Men with abnormal digital rectal exams or elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests ( both appear for prostate cancer), usually get prostate biopsies done. Nearly 16% pf the patients suffer a moderate or higher level of pain during their biopsy, according to a new study presented at the annual meeting of the North Central Section of the American Urological Association, in San Diego.

In this study, 243 men, who were scheduled to undergo a prostate biopsy, were given an anesthetic to reduce pain at one of three locations. The pain experienced was minimum in those men who received the anesthetic injection at the prostate apex, the part of the prostate closest to the urethra, and surrounding rectal tissues.

"Prostate biopsy evokes significant anxiety for some men due to anticipated pain associated with the procedure," Richard Ashley, Mayo Clinic urology resident and lead study investigator, said in a prepared statement.

"Patients should request that anesthetic be used at the time of a biopsy, and pain control should be the standard of care in a urologist's office," he said.

Source-Medindia
GYT