Prostatic Aspiration Biopsy

SUMMARY Histo‐cytological comparison of smears prepared from aspiration of prostates obtained by Franzén's technique from 100 autopsies and from 100 routine prostatectomy specimens, as well as of smears obtained from 128 patients prove that this form of investigation is reliable, although a proportion of inadequate smears or suspicious results may demand repetition of the examination. There is close concordance of clinical and cytological findings. The method has proved painless and free of complications and should be considered an important diagnostic out‐patient procedure. The literature on the diagnosis of malignancy of the prostate is reviewed and the merits of other forms of investigation are discussed.