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Teachable Moment
Less Is More
August 2016

Massive Rectal Hemorrhage After Prostate Biopsy: A Teachable Moment

Author Affiliations
  • 1Department of Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
JAMA Intern Med. 2016;176(8):1064-1065. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.2525

A man in his 70s with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and peripheral arterial disease was found to have an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 6.1 μg/L on routine screening. He had no personal or family history of prostate cancer and no concerning findings on digital rectal examination. He was referred to a urologist for further evaluation and underwent an extended (12-core) transrectal prostate biopsy procedure. The procedure was complicated by persistent bleeding, prompting urgent referral to our emergency department.

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