N P B Your Diagnosis

Patient Diagnosis Resource for
NORMAL PROSTATE BIOPSY
Your Diagnosis
After completing a thorough lab analysis of your recent prostate biopsy, a specialized doctor called
a pathologist reported finding a normal prostate biopsy. This means that there is no evidence of
cancer in your prostate gland.
Monitoring for Prostate Cancer
To monitor your urologic health on an ongoing basis, your doctor may recommend annual cancer
screenings that include a manual prostate check and blood test. The American Cancer Society
endorses such screenings for men age 50 and older who have no serious medical problems, those
age 45 and older who are at high risk for developing prostate cancer, and even younger men who
have very high risk factors.
Men considered at high risk for prostate cancer include African-Americans and those with a family
history of the condition, especially in a father or brother. If a man has several close relatives who
developed the condition at an early age, he is considered at very high risk. However, no one truly
knows why some men develop prostate cancer and others do not.
Prostate cancer screenings check the health of the
prostate gland, which is typically the size of a walnut
and located below the bladder and in front of the
rectum in men. The prostate surrounds a portion of
the urethra, or tube that carries urine from the
bladder out of the body. Its main purpose is to
produce fluid for semen, which transports sperm.
Cancer occurs when cells in the prostate do not
develop and die in their normal manner. The extra
cells that result form a growth, or tumor, which can
be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer and do not spread throughout the body.
Malignant tumors are cancer. Their cells may invade and damage surrounding areas or spread to
other locations in the body (metastasize). Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in
men after skin cancer.
Other Prostate Conditions
Your doctor likely performed your biopsy because you are having symptoms similar to those of
prostate cancer. Since you had a normal biopsy result, it is possible that you may have a condition
that shares some of the same symptoms as prostate cancer, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH) or prostatitis. These conditions are not cancer and do not increase your risk of getting cancer.
Talk with your doctor about the possibility that you may have BPH or prostatitis.
BPH is a normal enlargement of the prostate gland that occurs in men as they get older. Some men
with BPH suffer from troublesome urinary symptoms that can arise from the condition, such as
increased frequency and urgency. Treatments for BPH include muscle relaxants and other
medications, surgery, and additional choices such as thermal therapy and laser surgery.
Prostatitis is an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland that affects men of all ages. About
half of all men will experience the condition at some point in their lives. Treatments for prostatitis
include antibiotics, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory medications, surgery and additional choices
such as prostate massage and heat therapy.
What You Can Do
Because dietary factors have been associated with the development of prostate cancer, you should
keep your diet high in fruits, vegetables and fiber and low in fat, especially animal fat. You may also
want to boost your consumption of tomato products such as salsa, ketchup and tomato paste or
sauce. Studies have shown that men who eat these foods are less likely to develop prostate cancer
because tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage.
Further steps to help prevent prostate or other types of cancer include:
♦ Burning up all of the calories you take in each day through healthy eating and regular exercise
♦ Minimizing stress by getting enough sleep every night and using relaxation techniques
♦ Cutting out the use of tobacco and limiting your alcohol consumption
♦ Visiting your doctor regularly and promptly reporting any new symptoms that develop
Additional Resources
American Cancer Society, 800.227.2345, www.cancer.org
American Foundation for Urologic Disease, 800.828.7866, www.afud.org
Urology Channel, www.urologychannel.com
This patient resource sheet is provided to you as a service of CBLPath® and is intended for information purposes only.
It is not meant to serve as medical advice or a substitute for professional medical care. Treatment options may vary,
and only you and your physician can determine your best treatment plan.
© 2005 CBLPath, Inc.