Fusion-guided Prostate Biopsy

Fusion-guided prostate biopsy combines magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with ultrasound, overcoming the limitations of traditional transrectal ultrasound in identifying areas that may be suspicious for cancer. 

This technique has become the most accurate tool for diagnosing prostate cancer.

This diagnostic test can detect 30% more aggressive prostate cancers that may be missed by the traditional method, often referred to as a “blind” or “systematic” biopsy.

A fusion-guided prostate biopsy is a procedure used to take small samples of suspicious tissue from the prostate.

In simple terms, this test is usually recommended when other initial results—such as a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or a digital rectal examination—are inconclusive. In such cases, a more accurate and slightly invasive procedure is needed to better understand the patient's prostate health.

The biopsy involves collecting tiny tissue samples from the prostate gland. These samples are then examined under a microscope to determine whether the prostate growth is benign or whether cancerous cells are present.

Fusion-Guided Prostate Biopsy

Purchase your diagnostic test for the detection of prostate cancer.

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To undergo a fusion-guided prostate biopsy, simply click on one of the “Purchase Test” buttons and follow the easy steps shown. If you have any questions, you can contact our Patient Service team by calling at +34 91 141 33 56, or by filling out the contact form so we can call you back.

Once you purchase the MRI–ultrasound fusion-guided prostate biopsy, you will receive a confirmation email with your voucher. After downloading the voucher, you will need to arrange your appointment through our Patient Service team.

Our team will then get in touch with your chosen medical centre to organise an appointment with the anaesthetist, as well as schedule the date for the biopsy. We will make sure the day and time suit your availability.

Once your appointment dates at the selected centre have been confirmed, all that remains is to attend the test and wait for the results. Below, we explain all the details of the procedure.

If you are considering having a fusion-guided prostate biopsy following the recommendation of a Urology specialist, you can do so safely and quickly through Operarme. 

You can request your biopsy voucher right away by filling in our contact form, calling at +34 91 141 33 56, or clicking on the image below.

Fusion-Guided Prostate Biopsy

Purchase your diagnostic test for the detection of prostate cancer.

Purchase Service

To help you understand what to expect on the day of your test, here is a step-by-step explanation.

When the time comes for your biopsy—after a recommendation from your urologist and a consultation with the anaesthetist—you will need to go to the hospital with your MRI–ultrasound fusion-guided perianal biopsy voucher. There is no need to worry; our Patient Service team will be available to answer any questions you may have before your appointment.

Once you arrive, the clinic staff will explain the purpose of the test in detail and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have about the procedure. After that, they will begin preparing you for the operating room.

Step-by-Step: MRI–Ultrasound Fusion-Guided Prostate Biopsy

1st Appointment

Your first step will be a consultation with the urology specialist who will perform the procedure. During this visit, the doctor will review your medical history and ask questions about your overall health. If the specialist decides that the test is necessary, you will be scheduled for a multiparametric prostate MRI scan.

2nd and 3rd Appointments

As mentioned earlier, before collecting the tissue samples, you will undergo a multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) to produce detailed images of the prostate gland and identify the areas from which samples should be taken.
After the scan, you will be scheduled for a pre-operative assessment and the biopsy procedure itself.

4th Appointment

On the day of the biopsy, with everything ready and once in the operating room, you will be asked to lie on the examination table in the position indicated by the specialist. The anaesthetist will then administer light sedation.

1. Once the sedation takes effect, an ultrasound probe will be gently inserted into the rectum. Next, the urologist will insert a biopsy needle through the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus).
2. Using real-time 3D ultrasound imaging—created by fusing MRI and ultrasound images—the specialist will guide the needle and take thin, cylindrical samples of prostate tissue from various targeted areas of the gland.
3. During the procedure, the urologist will also carry out a targeted mapping of the prostate to check whether there is just one cancerous focus or multiple suspicious areas.
4. After the samples are taken, the instruments will be removed, and you will be transferred to the recovery room.

The tissue samples are sent to a pathologist to determine whether cancer is present in the suspicious areas and to assess thegrade of malignancy. 

If cancer is detected, further evaluation is done to understand how aggressive it may be and to determine the best treatment options for you.

The detection rate of clinically significant prostate cancer is higher when using the fusion-guided perineal biopsy technique.

In most cases, the results—provided in a pathology report—are available within1 to 3 days, although sometimes it may take a bit longer. The results may be reported as follows:

• Positive for cancer: Cancer cells were found in the biopsy samples.
• Negative for cancer: No cancer cells were found in the biopsy samples.
• Suspicious: Something abnormal was seen, but it may not be cancer.

The fusion-guided biopsy procedure takes about 30 minutes, and you can usually go home after around 2 hours, once the sedation has worn off.

After the procedure, it is normal to feel mild discomfort in the perineal area for a few hours. This can usually be managed by applying local cold packs and taking anti-inflammatory medication.

The main benefit of this innovative test is clear: its ability to detect prostate cancer in over 95% of cases. 

It also helps patients feel more at ease in their daily lives by ruling out a worrying condition like prostate cancer, or, if cancer is confirmed, enabling targeted treatment focused on the key affected areas.

Some of the most important advantages of choosing this test include:

• It avoids common problems associated with conventional prostate biopsy.
• It reduces the risk of infections.
• It allows access to hard-to-reach areas of the prostate, especially the anterior part of the gland, where aggressive tumours with poorer prognosis can sometimes develop and are often diagnosed late and at an advanced stage.
• Fusion-guided prostate biopsy provides a very reliable map of the size and location of the disease. This means patients can be offered focal therapy targeting the tumour lesion with confidence that untreated prostate areas do not contain clinically significant disease.
• The diagnosis from this advanced technique can guide patients towards focal treatments or specific surgical procedures, such as 3D laparoscopic radical prostatectomy or robotic surgery using the Da Vinci system.
• Fusion-guided biopsy enables highly accurate sampling of suspicious areas (PI-RADS 3, PI-RADS 4, and PI-RADS 5), resulting in a higher diagnostic rate compared to other biopsy techniques.

Fusion-Guided Prostate Biopsy

Purchase your diagnostic test for the detection of prostate cancer.

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