Optimal prostate biopsy regimen.

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) era has increased the rates of prostate cancer detection and treatment, while reducing the risk of death from prostate cancer in the US. Image-guided prostate biopsy techniques have led to stage migration and the detection and treatment of lower risk prostate cancers. Improved techniques with laterally directed biopsy, office-based saturation biopsy, and transperineal biopsy under anesthesia have increased the detection rates of smaller volume tumors. Improved detection of ever-smaller tumors assists the clinician in determining what treatment is most appropriate for the patient, including the use of active surveillance and focal therapy. Furthermore, the detection of small volume, high grade cancers may widen the latency interval in which a clinically significant tumor may be detectable and curable.