Safe and accurate biopsies are essential to the management of prostate cancer. Whilst the transrectal biopsy is more common in Australia, transperineal biopsy potentially has a lower risk of infection rate and better detection of anterior-based tumours. As a leader in the care of men with prostate cancer and a world initiator of the transperineal technique, Dr Stricker has analysed safety outcomes and detection rates in the transperineal technique with comparison against a USANZ audit of the transrectal technique and a large international series. The findings indicate that the transperineal biopsy is safer and more accurate.
Dr Sricker explains, ‘Transperineal is a safe technique with a cancer detection rate comparable to the national audit despite a lower risk population. Furthermore the transperineal technique picked up anteriorly placed tumours more accurately. In addition, rates of serious infection were significantly lower in those who underwent the transperineal technique.’
This data has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Urology and will published in June 2012 by Dr A.Huo, one of Dr Stricker’s Masters Fellows.