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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

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Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Biopsy Data to Guide Sampling Procedures for Prostate Cancer Biobanking
Published on: October 10, 2019
Prostate biopsy outcome using 29 mm cutting length
1Department of Urology and Andrology, St. Johannsspital, Paracelsus Medical Private University, Salzburg, Austria. k.g.fink@salk.at
Urologia Internationalis
|October 11, 2005
Summary
Using a longer needle in prostate biopsies significantly improves cancer detection rates. An extended 29 mm cutting length needle demonstrated an 18% increase in detecting prostate cancer compared to the standard 19 mm needle.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Prostate cancer diagnosis relies heavily on accurate tissue sampling via biopsy.
- Standard needle lengths may limit the detection of cancerous tissue, particularly in certain prostate zones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of standard versus extended cutting needle lengths in ex vivo prostate biopsy.
- To evaluate the impact of needle cutting length on prostate cancer detection rates.
Main Methods:
- Ex vivo analysis of 74 prostates using simulated transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies.
- Comparison of two needle types: 18-gauge with 19 mm cutting length and 18-gauge with 29 mm cutting length.
Main Results:
- The 29 mm cutting length needle detected 78% of carcinomas, compared to 66% with the 19 mm needle, an 18% improvement.
- Longer cores improved cancer detection, though no transition-zone-only cancers were identified in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- Extended cutting length (29 mm) significantly enhances prostate cancer detection in an ex vivo setting.
- Development of longer tru cut needles is supported for future clinical investigation, pending suitability assessment of end-cutting needles.

