The cytological diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma by transrectal fine needle aspiration

During a 2-year period a prospective study was conducted, comparing the accuracy of transrectal fine needle aspiration with that of transperineal needle biopsy in the diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma. With increasing experience the accuracy of aspiration was found to be at least equal to that of biopsy. Blood cultures 1 hour postoperatively in 1 group and 5 minutes postoperatively in another revealed a low incidence of bacteremia. Our findings suggest that prostatic aspiration should be used more widely as the initial diagnostic procedure for suspected prostatic cancer.