Outcome of TRUS Biopsy with Limited Cores in Patients with PSA More Than 50 ng/dL: Can We Reduce the Number of Cores Without Affecting Outcomes?

The aims of our study were to see outcomes of limited core biopsy and compare its outcomes with standard 12-core biopsy in patients with PSA more than 50 ng/dL. We did a retrospective analysis of 149 patients undergoing prostatic biopsy with PSA more than 50 ng/dL between January 2014 and December 2018. Out of 149 patients, 49 underwent limited core (2 to 6 cores) TRUS biopsy with no systemic 12-core biopsy. Other 100 patients underwent standard 12-core biopsy under TRUS guidance. Total of 149 patient's records were analyzed and were included in the final analysis. There was no significant difference in demographics and prostate-specific antigen among the cohorts. All 49 patients in limited core TRUS biopsy had a positive biopsy with no need of re-biopsy. Fourteen out of 100 patients in TRUS biopsy had a negative biopsy. All 14 patients with negative biopsy had an average follow-up of 3.8 years with no conversion to positive biopsy. Patients with PSA more than 50 ng/dL and high clinical suspicion of prostate cancer can undergo limited core biopsy without systemic 12-core biopsy. In patients with no clinical evidence of prostate cancer, 12-core biopsy remains the gold standard for evaluation of prostate cancer.