Transperineal prostate biopsy: analysis of a uniform core sampling pattern that yields data on tumor volume limits in negative biopsies

BACKGROUND: Analyze an approach to distributing transperineal prostate biopsy cores that yields data on the volume of a tumor that might be present when the biopsy is negative, and also increases detection efficiency. METHODS: Basic principles of sampling and probability theory are employed to analyze a transperineal biopsy pattern that uses evenly-spaced parallel cores in order to extract quantitative data on the volume of a small spherical tumor that could potentially be present, even though the biopsy did not detect it, i.e., negative biopsy. RESULTS: This approach to distributing biopsy cores provides data for the upper limit on the volume of a small, spherical tumor that might be present, and the probability of smaller volumes, when biopsies are negative and provides a quantitative basis for evaluating the effectiveness of different core spacing distances. CONCLUSIONS: Distributing transperineal biopsy cores so they are evenly spaced provides a means to calculate the probability that a tumor of given volume could be present when the biopsy is negative, and can improve detection efficiency.