Echo-guided transperineal prostatic biopsy vs transrectal prostatic biopsy in the diagnosis of prostatic cancer. Our experience

From January 1992 to May 1996, we performed 526 prostatic biopsies for suspected carcinoma after digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and PSA. 288 patients underwent transperineal echo-guided biopsy (TP) and 238 transrectal biopsy (TR). Diagnosis of prostatic cancer was made in 133 cases: 69 in the TP group and 64 in the TR group. We evaluated the reliability, sensitivity, specificity and complications of the two methods. TR biopsy is simple to do and well-tolerated by the patient, but has a greater number of complications.