The history of the development of prostate biopsy has changed significantly from random biopsies, to systematic to extended biopsy schemes. Systematic sextant biopsies, even when laterally directed, do not provide adequate sampling of the prostate. Ultimately the sextant biopsy technique has now become obsolete in favour of more extended biopsy protocols. To date there is no consensus on the optimal number of cores without significantly increasing morbidity but it has been shown that as prostate gland size increases, the yield of sextant biopsy has decreased (Karakiewicz et al., 1997). Based on published data it appears that between 8 and 12 cores would be an acceptable protocol. Essentially the.
