Prostate Volume Study

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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What is a prostate volume study?

A volume study is an ultrasound that helps your healthcare provider plan your cancer treatment. Information from the ultrasound about the size and shape of your prostate is used to develop the cancer treatment plan.

How do I prepare for a prostate volume study?

• Your healthcare provider will tell you what medicines to take and not take. Your provider may tell you not to take blood thinning medicines for up to 10 days before your procedure.
• Your healthcare provider will tell you to stop eating solid foods at noon the day before your procedure. Your provider will tell you to only eat and drink clear liquids the rest of that day. Clear liquids include clear broth, tea, coffee, flavored gelatin, clear juices, and hard candy. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about clear liquids.
• You will need to you give yourself an enema the evening before your procedure. You can buy an enema at your pharmacy, without a prescription. You will also need to give yourself an enema the morning of your procedure. The clear liquids and enemas clean out your bowel. This helps your healthcare provider get clear pictures of your prostate and the tissue around it.

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What happens during a prostate volume study?

Your healthcare provider will have you lie on your side with your knees bent. Your provider will do a rectal exam with his or her finger. Then, your provider will insert a transducer into your rectum. The transducer uses sound waves to make images of your prostate and the tissue around it. Your provider will slowly rotate the transducer until he or she has the images needed. You may feel some pressure or slight discomfort.

What will happen after the volume study?

You should be able to go back to your normal activities. Your healthcare providers will also go over your treatment plan with you.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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