Waypoint 2: Biopsy

Negative biopsies can lead to worry that maybe something was missed. Positive biopsies can lead to unnecessary or inappropriate treatments. PCMs can help provide information to better inform your biopsy results.

What biomarker tests should I consider after a prostate biopsy?

If you have had a prostate cancer biopsy, you might be surprised to find that the answer to whether you have prostate cancer or not--or what to do next if cancer is found--is not always clear.

There are a variety of PCM tests that help provide additional information after your biopsy if you:

  • receive a negative biopsy result but have a high PSA or other indicator of prostate cancer
  • receive a positive biopsy but with a low Gleason score
  • receive a positive biopsy with a high Gleason score

Find the right PC Markers for you. Take quiz.

PCM Tests After Prostate Biopsy

PCM tests can help find prostate cancer that goes undetected by a biopsy. PCMs also can help detect whether identified prostate cancer is aggressive or slow growing and which type of treatment might be most beneficial.

Petri dish for tissue based prostate cancer marker

Confirm mdx

For negative or atypical biopsies, this tissue-based biomarker test screens for prostate cancer at a molecular level and can clarify and confirm biopsy results.

If your prostate biopsy has a Gleason Score of less than or equal to 7 or if your prostate biopsy has a Gleason Score greater than 7 and you have not yet undergone treatment (surgery or radiation), you and your healthcare provider might consider these tissue-based PCM tests:

Petri dish for tissue based prostate cancer marker

Decipher Biopsy

This tissue-based genomic test evaluates tumor aggressiveness and combines it with a man’s risk of metastasis and clinically validated prostate cancer-specific mortality risk.

Petri dish for tissue based prostate cancer marker

Prolaris

This tissue-based PCM test assesses the prostate cancer tumor biology and aggressiveness. This test can be conducted with the same tissue collected during a prostate cancer biopsy.

Petri dish for tissue based prostate cancer marker

Oncotype DX GPS

This tissue-based test looks for the activation of 17 specific genes associated with prostate cancer, providing insights for men with organ-confined prostate cancer.

If your prostate biopsy has a Gleason Score greater than 7 and you have already undergone treatment, please see Waypoint 4 for additional PCM tests to consider.

Waypoint 2 FAQs

As you assess your risk of prostate cancer after you have had a biopsy, you may have questions about PCMs, genetic testing, and more. Below is an initial list of frequently asked questions. You can also submit your question.

1. Are there any prostate cancer biomarker (PCM) tests that could help me decide what steps to take after an inconclusive prostate biopsy?

If you have a negative or atypical biopsy and are wanting more insights about prostate cancer risk, you might consider the tissue-based PCM test:

If your prostate biopsy has a Gleason Score of less than or equal to 7 or if your prostate biopsy has a Gleason Score greater than 7 and you have not yet undergone treatment (surgery or radiation), you and your healthcare provider might consider these tissue-based PCM tests: 

If your prostate biopsy has a Gleason Score greater than 7 and you have already undergone treatment, please see Waypoint 4 for additional PCM tests to consider.

2. What are prostate cancer biomarkers (PCMs)?

Prostate cancer biomarkers (PCMs) are molecules found in blood, tissue, or body fluids. PCMs are revolutionary new, non-invasive diagnostic tests that may help your healthcare provider decide if your prostate cancer is in fact low risk, if something more aggressive may be lurking in your prostate, or if there are hot spots in the prostate that may need to be re-evaluated upon biopsy. PCMs also can help you and your healthcare provider determine the most appropriate treatment for your cancer.