Over an 18-mo period, 93 prostate examinations were performed by a suprapubic transabdominal approach. By applying ultrasonographic tissue textural analysis, we were able to identify 16 out of 19 carcinomas. Most of these analyses showed ill-defined focal abnormalities located either in the posterior or the posterior-lateral portion of the gland. Ten of the analyses demonstrated increase echogenicity, while six demonstrated decreased echogenicity. Irregularity of the capsule was an unreliable sign in determining capsular invasion. The degree of extension appears to be better evaluated by computed tomography (CT). In conclusion, transabdominal ultrasound holds promise in the detection of prostatic carcinoma, while staging should be done by CT.