Transrectal aspiration biopsy versus transperineal core biopsy for the diagnosis of carcinoma of the prostate

Transrectal aspiration and transperineal core biopsies were performed on 38 patients with suspicious prostatic examinations. The false negative rate was 14 per cent by the core method but no cancer was missed by the aspiration technique. There was insufficient material for diagnosis in 14 per cent of the biopsies obtained by the core technique but in only 3 per cent with the aspiration biopsy method. Malignant cells were confirmed by cytology in 1 patient who had had 2 normal core biopsies. The cytological grade was only moderately consistent with the Gleason sum. No complications developed after either procedure. Transrectal aspiration biopsy offers several advantages over conventional biopsy methods and should be used regularly to diagnose abnormalities of the prostate.