Prostate Cancer Questions
In this section, let's try to collect questions that
occur frequently in the reading that we want to have answered. Until I
figure out how to allow everyone to write directly to this file, just
send me email with questions or answers that you
have found.
Questions
- Why are biopsy needles only 1.5 cm long (less that the diamter of
the prostate)?
- What is directed (vs. random) biopsy?
- We need detailed physiology, anatomy, morphology of the prostate
for the CA model.
Answers
- Can the angle of the biopsy needles be varied? Yes, we ned to
investigate other angles and positions.
- If ultrasound is used during the biopsy why can't tumors be located
more accurately? Ultrasound does not have the resolution (and the
prostate does not have sufficient contrast) to locate tumors accurately.
- What is the "penalty" in taking too many biopsies? Why are six
probes used? The penalty is discomfort and possible infection. We need
to investigate the use of fewer or more than six needles.
wbriggs@tiger.cudenver.edu