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Prostate Biopsy, Transrectal vs. Transperineal: Efficacy and Complications

Prospective, Randomized Study Comparing Transperineal and Transrectal Prostate Biopsy Efficacy and Complications (ProBE-PC Trial)

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04081636
Acronym
ProBE-PC
Enrollment
840
Registered
2019-09-09
Start date
2019-09-02
Completion date
2024-12-31
Last updated
2025-12-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Infection, Prostate Cancer, PSA

Keywords

Prostate biopsy, PSA, infection, bleeding

Brief summary

This study evaluates the difference between 2 prostate biopsy methods, transrectal (through the rectal wall) and transperineal (through the skin) needle biopsy. Men who are in need of prostate biopsy due to clinical suspicions of prostate cancer will be randomly assigned (1:1) to either transrectal or transperineal approach. This research study will scientifically determine if one biopsy method is better than the other in reducing complications and improving cancer detection.

Detailed description

There are two ways to take biopsy (tissue) samples from the prostate. The more commonly used method is trans-rectal needle biopsy of the prostate (TR-Bx) with a needle inserted through a probe in the rectum to reach the prostate. TR-Bx is usually performed in the office, using local anesthesia, and often using a targeted biopsy approach using MRI/ultrasound fusion technique. Trans-perineal biopsy (TP-Bx) with a needle inserted directly through the skin to reach the prostate. Typically, TP-BX is performed in the outpatient surgical setting due significant pain associated with the procedure, requiring the use anesthesia and/or sedation. TP-Bx. procedure is very uncommon in the USA and is often performed using ultrasound alone (less accurate), without the benefit of MRI guided targeted biopsy. Now, with the availability of new devices, we are able to perform both TR-Bx and TP-Bx using MRI/ultrasound fusion guided targeted approach, in the office setting, using local anesthesia alone. With the TR-Bx, there has been increasing risk of infection related complications, sepsis and hospital admissions. The newer approach of biopsy TP-Bx may cause fewer infections and may have a higher accuracy of finding cancer. Using validated questionnaires such as IIEF-6, IPSS and TRUS-BxQ, this randomized study of TR-BX and TP-Bx will address these questions: * Differences in the risk of infectious complications * Differences in the overall cancer detection rate and the high-grade cancer detection rate * Differences in the hemorrhagic and urinary side effects * Tolerability of both techniques with local anesthesia alone * Difference in the results of of MRI/US fusion targeted biopsy * Differences in the cost of the procedures

Interventions

PROCEDURESystematic Transrectal biopsy (TR-Bx)

Through the rectum

PROCEDURETargeted Transrectal biopsy (TR-Bx)

Through the rectum

PROCEDURESystematic Transperineal biopsy (TP-Bx)

Through the perineal skin

PROCEDURETargeted Transperineal biopsy (TP-Bx)

Through the perineal skin

Sponsors

Albany Medical College
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

Randomized 1:1 to either trans-rectal needle biopsy (TR-Bx) or Trans-perineal biopsy (TP-Bx) of the prostate. Both arms, either with or without MRI guided biopsy

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
MALE
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* All patients who are scheduled to undergo prostate biopsy for suspected prostate cancer as part of their regular medical care * Either with or without an MRI

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with no access to rectum (due to previous rectal surgery) * Any abnormalities of the perineal skin (e.g. infection) * Patients whose procedure requires sedation or general anesthesia

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Rate of infectious complications30 daysWhether or not patient had an infection after the biopsy
Clinically significant cancer detection rate14 daysThe rate of grade group 2 prostate cancer detected in each study arm

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Patient reported urinary function measures using IPSS questionaire30 daysInternational Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) to measure urinary function
Rate of Bleeding complications30 daysThe type of bleeding and its severity (blood in urine or stool)
Patient reported sexual function measures using IIEF questionaire30 daysInternational Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) to measure sexual dysfunction
Cost of the procedures30 daysDifferences in the actual cost of the procedures (including supplies, time)
Tolerability under local anesthesia30 daysPain scores; Need for additional analgesia

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 9, 2026