Prevention and treatment of biopsy-related complications.

Transrectal biopsy of the prostate is necessary in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC). Though generally considered safe, patients encounter minor complications such as bleeding and urinary symptoms, and uncommonly, serious infections that may require antibiotic therapy, visits to the emergency room (ER) or hospital admission, causing morbidity and rarely even mortality. It is concerning that infections are on the rise due to resistant bacteria. Urologists will have to be aware of bacterial susceptibility studies to reduce such complications. This review focuses on prostate biopsy and its complications, and measures to reduce these complications in our practice.