Synchronously performed prostatic fine needle aspiration and core biopsies--an appraisal

One hundred and twenty-six patients underwent fine needle aspiration (FNA) and/or core biopsies of the prostate in a rurally located, non-oncospecialised organisational setting. The procedures were performed by the residents of varying seniority and experience. While a simple core biopsy alone had a greater diagnostic potential, (37/45) FNA was found to be a rapidly interpretable sampling methodology with consequent reduction of waiting period for diagnosis and institution of treatment. The two techniques taken together complemented each other by avoiding repeat biopsies, delaying diagnosis and therapy. In case FNA turned out to be inconclusive, the report on core biopsy would follow soon, unlike in a situation where they are done asynchronously.