The inaccuracy of lymphangiography in predicting nodal involvement and the complications of pelvic lymphadenectomy prompted us to evaluate other methods of staging prostatic cancer. On the basis of the results obtained in 24 patients with carcinoma of the prostate, the authors suggest transcutaneous fluoroscopy-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy as a satisfactory alternative to lymphadenectomy. In 95-8% of patients pelvic lymphadenectomy confirmed the cytological findings of transcutaneous aspiration biopsy of pelvic lymph nodes using a "long-bevelled, side-holed" thin needle. It is considered essential to perform aspiration biopsy on most of the pelvic lymph node chains opacified, regardless of lymphographic diagnosis.