Indications and techniques of prostate biopsies.

Of 77 patients with non-nodular but abnormally fm prostates investigated at Stanford, 36% had prostate cancer [l]. In another study of patients with abnormal transrectalultrasonography(TRUS) findings, 65.6%ofthose withaPSAabove 10 ng/ ml had cancer [2]. Furthermore, cancer was also found in 3 1% of patients who had a normal digital rectal examination @RE). Inthegroup ofpatients withanormalDREandaPSAleve1 intherange4-10 ng/ ml, it is debatable whether or not biopsy should be pedormed In a comparatively young man, who may receive radical surgery if findings are positive, a more active approach is likely to be taken than in an elderly man to whom radical treatment will presumably not be offered