Transrectal prostate biopsy has traditionally been used in suspected prostate cancer. In the transrectal approach, the biopsy needle is inserted through the rectal wall to collect tissue samples of the prostate. The method carries a risk of infection, and antibiotics are therefore given prophylactically. Due to the risk of infections and the fact that in recent years there has been an increased incidence of sepsis and antibiotic resistance, a transperineal approach has been used to a greater extent. In the transperineal approach, the biopsy needle is inserted through the perineum instead of through the rectal wall, and it is assumed that the procedure entails lower risk of infections.
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has been commissioned to perform a health technology assessment of transperineal biopsy compared with transrectal biopsy on suspicion of prostate cancer. The health technology assessment will include a systematic review of the transperineally approach compared with the transrectally approach as well as an evaluation of diagnostic accuracy depending on the method used. For diagnostic accuracy, we will include systematic reviews published in the last five years and describe them in a table with quality assessment and results. The health technology assessment will also include a health economic evaluation.
