A recent study from shows that prostate biopsy, a test done to confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer and the PSA is elevated, has an increasing risk of serious infection and complications.
Since 1996, the risk of significant problems from the procedure has doubled to 7%.
This is something I’ve definitely observed over time and it is another reasons that we are being more sanguine about prostate biopsy when PSA is elevated.
Still….we will do the PSA testing for monitoring, but this gives even more fodder for those who want to maintain a strong respect for ‘watching and waiting’ when PSA’s vary and are inconclusive.