In 2009, Urology Associates of Central California opened a state-of-the-art pathology lab in our main office under the direction of pathologist John S. Pollard, M.D. The pathology lab processes primarily prostate biopsy specimens using the Know Error DNA system that involves three simple steps.
- Prior to the prostate biopsy, a reference sample of DNA is taken by swabbing the inside of the patient’s cheek. This swab is then sent to Know Error.
- The patient’s biopsy tissue sample(s) are placed in bar-coded specimen containers included in the biopsy kit that is walked over to our pathology lab and processed.
- If the biopsy results come back positive for prostate cancer, our pathology lab staff sends shavings of your tissue blocks preserved in paraffin wax to Know Error. Know Error performs a DNA Specimen Provenance Assignment (DSPA) test to compare the DNA profiles of the biopsy tissue and the swab reference sample noted in step 1 above. Concurrence of these profiles allows for absolute confirmation of patient identity.
This process has become the standard of care for all patients that have a prostate biopsy at Urology Associates of Central California. Our pathology lab also processes vas deferens from vasectomy, penile lesions, and scrotal lesions among other samples including urine cytology. Urine cytology is a test that is used to look for abnormal cells in your urine. It is use along with other tests and procedures to diagnose urinary tract cancers such as bladder cancer. For patients that have hematuria (blood in the urine) or history of bladder cancer, your urologist may order a urine cytology as part of your workup.