What should you know about a prostate cancer ultrasound?

A prostate ultrasound may be performed with a small probe placed in the rectum. The probe produces images of the prostate and nearby structures. It can help a clinician understand the gland's size and shape and can help guide needles during a biopsy. The images are considered alongside symptoms, blood results and other scans when needed.

An ultrasound image cannot identify every cancerous change. A biopsy examines tissue under a microscope when tissue confirmation is needed. The team should explain preparation, positioning and what sensations to expect before the examination.

Follow the clinic's instructions about bowel preparation, eating, drinking and medicines. Tell the team about blood-thinning medicines, allergies, prior rectal or prostate procedures and any infection symptoms. If a biopsy is planned, ask about preventive medicine and aftercare. Arrange a way to contact the service if you develop concerning symptoms after the procedure, and bring your questions to the appointment.

Contact a clinician for ongoing difficulty passing urine, visible blood in urine or semen, or a change that does not settle. After an ultrasound-guided biopsy, seek urgent medical advice for fever, chills, inability to pass urine, severe pain or heavy bleeding. Prompt assessment can identify infection, bleeding or urinary blockage.

Ask why ultrasound is being used, whether it is diagnostic or mainly guiding a biopsy, what preparation is required, how medicines should be managed, and when the report will be discussed. Ask what the next step would be if the images are unclear.