Prostate biopsy

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Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Common risks associated with a prostate biopsy include:

  • Infection. The most common risk associated with a prostate biopsy is infection. Rarely, men who have a prostate biopsy develop an infection of the urinary tract or prostate that requires treatment with antibiotics.
  • Bleeding at the biopsy site. Bleeding is common after a prostate biopsy. Don't start taking any blood-thinning medications after your biopsy until your doctor says it's OK.
  • Blood in your semen. Up to half the men who have a prostate biopsy report blood in their semen after the procedure. This is not a cause for concern and may persist for four to six weeks after the biopsy.
  • Urinary retention. In some men prostate biopsy can cause difficulty passing urine after the procedure. Rarely, a temporary urinary catheter needs to be inserted.

MY00182

Sept. 4, 2008

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