Objective: To determine the value of 18-core biopsies for prostate cancer detection.

Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted. Men with abnormal PSA were enrolled. Every patient was subjected
to 18-core TRUS biopsy. Parameters such as PSA, free PSA, prostate volume, PSA density and pathological results were recorded and
compared between the 12-core group and 18-core group.

Results: A total of 43 men with a mean age of 69.44 years was evaluated. The mean PSA was 99.09 ng/mL, mean Free PSA was 4.29 ng/ml, mean prostate volume was 56.50 ml and a mean PSAD was 2.31 ng/ml/ml. 13 were diagnosed with prostate cancer. The 18-
sample biopsy procedures yielded a diagnosis of prostate cancer in 30.23% compared with 27.91% of patients on the basis of 12 biopsies and detected a higher Gleason score disease than those in the 12-core group. The 18-sample procedure improved the diagnosis yield by 7.69%. Significant differences in the Cancer detection core numbers were observed. No serious complications occurred.

Conclusion: 18-core TRUS biopsy seemed to improve detection rates of prostate cancer and detected higher grade disease without
causing any significant complications. Therefore, patients with suspected prostate cancer should be considered for 18 extended
schemes.

Keywords: 18-core transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies, Prostate cancer detection