Prostate biopsies increase chances of hospitalization
A new Johns Hopkins study has revealed men who have prostate biopsies are more than twice as likely to be hospitalized with a serious complication within 30 days.
The biopsies are outpatient procedure done to diagnose and monitor prostate cancer more than 1 million times a year. The study found the men have a 6.9 percent rate of hospitalization, compared with a 2.9 percent for those in the control group in the study.
The results of the study, the largest ever analysis of Medicare patients aged 65 or older in the last two decades, were published online in the Journal of Urology.
Researchers still say the biopsies are necessary: Prostate cancer is the second leading cancer killer among men. But they also advise doctors to weigh the risks and benefits, take extra precautions and advise patients of the possibilities.
The complications were bleeding, infection and flare-ups of other medical conditions. Hospitalization in general from the procedures are dropping, but the men who were hospitalized for infections were still 12 times as likely to die as those who did not have biopsies. This could be because of an increase in antimicrobial resistance, said Dr. Edward Schaeffer, an associate professor in the Hopkins School of Medicine and its Brady Urological Institute and the study's senior investigator.
“Prostate biopsy is an essential procedure for detecting prostate cancers,” Schaeffer said in a statement. “Coupled with appropriate screening, prostate biopsies save lives. However, it is important for men to be aware of the possible risks of prostate biopsies, which are often described as simple outpatient procedures.”
Comments
As someone who has just undergone the procedure last week, I can say it is more intense than I was led to believe.
I'm in my late 40s and had more than "average" bleeding during the procedure. The brochure I was given mentioned possible bleeding for 2-3 days afterwards. Last night on day 5 I had more bleeding while urinating and called the doctor. The doctor on call said it is normal to still have some issues.
Coupled with the side effects of the antibiotics (Bactrim, which I found later was banned in the UK) and the worrying/waiting for the phone call telling me the results it has been a rough ride.
I have tons of sympathy for others undergoing the procedure and encountering any side effects.
Anyone who gets one should be aware that they may have issues for a good 7-14 days afterwards. Others may be lucky but don't think it is an easy 15 minute procedure in the dr's office and you can go about things normally the next day.
Posted by: rich (arizona) | September 26, 2011 11:41 AM
Under Obamacare PSA tests will become less available. Biopsies must be approved by a special committee and therapies may be allowed for selected individuals. Quality of care moves into the realm of scifi. I will wager that there will be less than 1 million biopsies per year. Any takers?
Posted by: Mark Davis, MD | September 26, 2011 11:53 AM
Very informative. Prostate Cancer is curable as long as you have the right medication, support and awareness about the illness. Also check out prostate cancer treatment.
Posted by: curtis | September 27, 2011 9:13 AM