Biopsy standards for detection of prostate cancer.

The widespread use of measurement of prostate-specific antigen for prostate cancer screening has led to a dramatic increase in the number of transrectal biopsies. Although transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy is the gold standard in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, the strategies for initial and repeat biopsies remain controversial. Over the past decade numerous biopsy protocols have been developed. Several protocols have been established that increase the number of cores by combining sextant and lateral biopsies to increase the cancer detection rate. We review the current methods of prostate biopsies, the indication to perform an initial and repeat biopsy, the impact of prostate volume on the number of cores taken, and the morbidity of the procedure.