First transperineal prostate biopsy in Oman conducted

Muscat: The Genitourinary (GU) team at the Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC) performed the first-of-its-kind operation in Oman for taking a sample of the prostate through the perineum which is safer and more accurate.

Dr. Hilal Al Rashdi, Consultant of Urology Oncology said: “In transperineal biopsy, doctor passes the biopsy needle through the perineal skin into the prostate, rather than passing the biopsy needle through a potentially contaminated rectum. This approach lowers the risk of sepsis to 1 in 500, rather than the approximate 1 to 2 in 100 risk of sepsis related to transrectal biopsy.”

Higher detection rate

Studies show a slightly higher detection rate with the transperineal approach, and the main benefit is safety, due to the lower risk of severe life-threatening infection.

Also, with a transperineal approach it is much easier to access the anterior prostate, which is not well sampled with transrectal biopsy.

Dr.Hilal Al Rashdi added: “So, nowadays all guidelines advise TP approach as first choice if available.”

Prostate biopsy

The urologist recommends a prostate biopsy if results from initial tests, such as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test or digital rectal exam, suggest that the patient may have prostate cancer.

Tissue samples from the prostate biopsy are examined under a microscope for all cell abnormalities that are a sign of prostate cancer.

If cancer is present, it is evaluated to determine how quickly it’s likely to progress and to determine the best treatment options for the patient.