Fine needle aspiration biopsy of the prostate gland: a study of 103 cases with histological followup.

Fine needle aspiration specimens of the prostate gland were compared to histological material in 103 patients. The sensitivity was 95 per cent, specificity 97 per cent and efficiency 87 per cent. Initial core needle biopsy compared to the final histological diagnosis in this study had a sensitivity of 76 per cent, specificity 100 per cent and efficiency 71 per cent. Fine needle aspiration by a well trained cytopathologist is less traumatic, and has fewer side effects and a higher sensitivity rate than conventional core needle biopsy.