This study compares cytological findings obtained by transrectal aspiration biopsy of the prostate with histological findings obtained by simultaneously performed transperineal punch biopsy. All interventions were performed on outpatients. Complications such as hematuria, urinary infection, or epididymitis occurred in 4.4% of the cases, the majority of them being attributed to punch biopsies. Exact correspondence was found in 78.8% of 433 usable specimens, the accuracy for carcinoma amounting to 71.1%. Specimens cytologically judged either false "negative" or "suspicious" were histologically mostly well-differentiated (G1 and G2) carcinomas (96.1%). The value of fine needle biopsy of the prostate as nonstaining diagnostic procedure will be discussed.