Prostate Biopsy In Colorado Springs, CO
Advanced Technology, Painless Technique
Modern Urology provides expert prostate biopsy in Colorado Springs, CO and throughout the Front Range, offering both standard and MRI fusion techniques in the office. Dr. Carolyn Fronczak is a board certified urologist whose nerve block technique with lidocaine ensures that your prostate biopsy should never be painful. Nitrous oxide is also available for relaxation. Whether you need a biopsy because of an elevated PSA, an abnormal prostate exam, or for cancer surveillance, Dr. Fronczak uses the latest evaluation tools, including multiparametric prostate MRI, genomic testing, and MRI/ultrasound fusion technology, to make sure the biopsy is targeted, accurate, and only done when it is truly needed.
A Prostate Biopsy Should Never Be Painful
Many men delay or avoid a prostate biopsy because they fear pain. At Modern Urology, Dr. Fronczak uses a nerve block technique with lidocaine that numbs the prostate before any tissue samples are taken. This technique makes the biopsy a comfortable procedure, not the painful experience that many men expect.
If you feel anxious about the biopsy itself, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is available to help you relax during the procedure. Between the nerve block and the nitrous oxide option, most patients are surprised by how manageable the experience is. Dr. Fronczak walks you through every step before and during the procedure so there are no surprises.
If you have been putting off a recommended prostate biopsy because of fear, this is the reassurance you need. The information from a prostate biopsy can be critical to your health, and at Modern Urology, it does not have to be a difficult experience.
Why Would I Need a Prostate Biopsy?
A prostate biopsy is recommended when there is a clinical reason to check the prostate tissue for cancer. The most common reasons include an elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level found on a blood test, an abnormal finding during a digital rectal exam, or ongoing surveillance of previously diagnosed low-grade prostate cancer.
PSA is a protein produced by the prostate that circulates in the bloodstream. An elevated PSA can indicate prostate cancer, but it can also be elevated due to a benign enlarged prostate (BPH), infection, recent ejaculation, bike riding, or recent urologic procedures. An elevated PSA alone does not mean you have cancer. It means further evaluation is warranted, and a biopsy may be part of that evaluation.
Dr. Fronczak does not rush to biopsy. She uses advanced evaluation tools to determine whether a biopsy is needed and when the timing is appropriate. These tools help avoid unnecessary biopsies while ensuring that clinically significant cancers are not missed.
Before the Biopsy: How Modern Urology Evaluates Your Prostate
Dr. Fronczak often recommends a multiparametric prostate MRI as part of the evaluation for elevated PSA, abnormal prostate exam, or known low-grade prostate cancer surveillance. This imaging study provides a detailed picture of the prostate and can identify specific areas of concern that may need targeted sampling.
In addition to MRI, Modern Urology uses genomic testing, which includes specialized blood and urine tests that help determine the likelihood of finding prostate cancer on a biopsy. These tests, such as the 4Kscore, Select MDX, and ExoDx, represent the latest in precision evaluation. They can and do reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies by providing additional data to guide clinical decision-making.
Dr. Fronczak is actively evaluating new and upcoming diagnostic tests as they become available, ensuring that patients always have access to the most current technology.
Standard Prostate Biopsy: The 12-Core Gold Standard
A standard prostate biopsy involves taking 12 tissue samples from the prostate, six from the left lobe and six from the right lobe. This systematic 12-core approach has been demonstrated in numerous studies to be the gold standard technique for detecting prostate cancer through biopsy.
The procedure is performed in the office. You lie comfortably, and Dr. Fronczak places an ultrasound probe gently into the rectum to visualize the prostate. After administering the lidocaine nerve block to numb the prostate completely, she uses a thin, hollow needle to collect tissue samples from predetermined locations across both lobes. The entire procedure typically takes less than 15 minutes.
Antibiotics are prescribed before the biopsy to prevent infection. If you take blood-thinning medications or antiplatelet supplements, Dr. Fronczak will provide specific instructions on when to stop them before the procedure. If you are on a prescription blood thinner or aspirin for a medical condition, she may coordinate with your cardiologist or hematologist to ensure your safety.
MRI Fusion Prostate Biopsy: Precision Targeting for Suspicious Areas
When a multiparametric prostate MRI reveals a specific lesion or area of concern, Dr. Fronczak can perform an MRI fusion biopsy. This advanced technique superimposes the MRI images of your prostate over real-time ultrasound images during the biopsy, allowing Dr. Fronczak to target the exact area that the MRI identified as suspicious.
Fusion biopsy combines the detailed imaging of MRI with the live guidance of ultrasound. The MRI provides a map of where the lesion is located. The ultrasound provides real-time visualization during the procedure. When these two images are fused together, the biopsy needle can be directed precisely to the suspicious area. This targeted approach increases the accuracy of detecting clinically significant prostate cancer compared to standard systematic biopsy alone.
A fusion prostate biopsy in Colorado Springs, CO through Modern Urology is performed in the office using the same painless nerve block technique and with nitrous oxide available. Dr. Fronczak typically performs both targeted fusion biopsies of the suspicious area and standard systematic biopsies of the remaining prostate tissue during the same procedure to provide the most complete evaluation.
It is important to know that fusion biopsy technology requires renting specialized equipment with a trained technician. This equipment rental is not covered by commercial insurance or Medicare, which means there is an out-of-pocket component for the fusion portion of the procedure. Dr. Fronczak’s team will explain this clearly before your biopsy so you can make an informed decision about which approach is right for you
After Your Biopsy: Prostate Cancer Risk and Next Steps
If your biopsy results show prostate cancer, Dr. Fronczak uses a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to determine the next steps. Prostate cancer risk can range from very low to very high, and the treatment path depends on accurately characterizing the biology and aggressiveness of the tumor.
The goals of prostate cancer evaluation and treatment at Modern Urology are to maximize detection of potentially lethal cancer, accurately characterize tumor biology, and stratify risk so that indolent cancers are not overtreated while aggressive cancers receive prompt attention.
Some patients with intermediate, high, or very high risk prostate cancer may qualify for a PSMA PET scan, the latest imaging technology for detecting advanced or metastatic disease. This scan is available through insurance for eligible patients and provides information that helps guide treatment planning.
Treatment options for localized prostate cancer include robotic-assisted removal of the prostate (radical prostatectomy) and radiation therapy. Dr. Fronczak recommends treatments that are considered gold standard options based on current evidence. For patients who may benefit from additional options, she can refer to institutions where clinical trials and emerging treatments are available.
For men with very low or low-risk prostate cancer, active surveillance may be the appropriate path. This involves regular monitoring with PSA tests, exams, and repeat biopsies rather than immediate treatment, avoiding the side effects of surgery or radiation for cancers that may never cause harm.
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Why Men Choose Modern Urology for Prostate Biopsy in Colorado Springs, CO
Modern Urology brings together the clinical expertise, diagnostic technology, and patient-centered approach that men need when facing a prostate biopsy. Dr. Fronczak is board certified by the American Board of Urology, has treated thousands of patients across the Front Range, and uses advanced tools including multiparametric MRI, genomic testing, and fusion biopsy technology.
What sets Modern Urology apart is the combination of precision and comfort. Dr. Fronczak’s nerve block technique ensures a painless biopsy, nitrous oxide is available for relaxation, and the entire procedure takes place in a private, comfortable office setting. She does not rush to biopsy when it is not needed, and she does not skip it when it is. Every recommendation is grounded in the latest clinical evidence and guided by a thorough conversation with you about your individual situation.
Modern Urology is independently owned. You see the same doctor at every visit. She knows your PSA history, your risk factors, and your preferences. That continuity matters, especially for something as important as prostate cancer evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a prostate biopsy hurt?
At Modern Urology, a prostate biopsy should never be painful. Dr. Fronczak uses a nerve block technique with lidocaine to fully numb the prostate before any tissue samples are collected. Nitrous oxide is also available for relaxation. Most men are surprised by how comfortable the procedure is compared to what they expected. If fear of pain has been keeping you from getting a recommended biopsy, this approach changes the experience.
What is the difference between a standard biopsy and a fusion biopsy?
A standard prostate biopsy takes 12 systematic tissue samples across both lobes of the prostate and is the gold standard for cancer detection. A fusion biopsy uses MRI images overlaid on real-time ultrasound to target specific areas of concern identified on a prior prostate MRI. Dr. Fronczak often performs both approaches during the same procedure for the most thorough evaluation. Fusion biopsy requires specialized equipment that is not covered by insurance.
How do I prepare for a prostate biopsy?
Dr. Fronczak will prescribe antibiotics to take before your biopsy to prevent infection. If you take blood-thinning medications or supplements such as aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, turmeric, or garlic, you will need to stop them for the appropriate length of time before the procedure. If you are on a prescription blood thinner, Dr. Fronczak may coordinate with your cardiologist or hematologist before providing instructions.
Why does Dr. Fronczak recommend an MRI before a prostate biopsy?
A multiparametric prostate MRI provides detailed images of the prostate that can reveal specific areas of concern before a biopsy is performed. If a suspicious lesion is identified, it can be targeted with a fusion biopsy for greater accuracy. The MRI also helps evaluate the overall prostate anatomy and can be used to monitor known low-grade cancers over time. This step helps ensure that biopsies are targeted and necessary.
What happens if prostate cancer is found?
If your biopsy confirms prostate cancer, Dr. Fronczak will discuss the specific risk level of your cancer and walk you through all available treatment options. Depending on the risk level, options may include active surveillance, robotic-assisted prostatectomy, or radiation therapy. For eligible patients, a PSMA PET scan may be ordered to check for advanced disease. Dr. Fronczak believes in a multidisciplinary approach and works closely with radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and urologic oncology surgeons.
What are genomic tests, and can they help me avoid a biopsy?
Genomic tests are specialized blood and urine tests that help determine the likelihood of finding prostate cancer if a biopsy is performed. Tests such as 4Kscore, Select MDX, and ExoDx provide additional data beyond PSA alone. In some cases, these results may reduce the need for an immediate biopsy by clarifying the level of risk. Dr. Fronczak uses these tools as part of a comprehensive evaluation to help you make an informed, educated decision.