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Review
. 2020 Dec;9(6):3018-3024.
doi: 10.21037/tau.2019.09.37.

Transrectal ultrasound biopsy of the prostate: does it still have a role in prostate cancer diagnosis?

Andrew Moe  1   2   3 , Dickon Hayne  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Transrectal ultrasound biopsy of the prostate: does it still have a role in prostate cancer diagnosis?

Andrew Moe et al. Transl Androl Urol. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy of the prostate has been a standard diagnostic approach for prostate cancer over the past thirty years. Today, the role of TRUS biopsy is being challenged by transperineal (TP) prostate biopsy due to concerns over the safety and diagnostic yield of TRUS biopsy. TRUS biopsy still offers a convenient, reliable and accessible tool for diagnosing prostate cancer in the majority of patients. It continues to play a role in prostate cancer diagnosis, especially where hospital resource allocation is limited, including the public sector. TRUS biopsy has low rates of severe complications, although there remains room for improvement in current practice to improve the tolerability and reduce the incidence of post-biopsy infection.

Keywords: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS); biopsy; prostate cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: Both authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tau.2019.09.37). The series "Surgery for Urologic Cancers" was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

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