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Objective: To carry out rapid histological processing of prostatic biopsies for the management of patients who present with urinary retention or other urological problems, or with a suspected diagnosis of prostatic cancer., Patients and Methods: Biopsies were taken from each of 26 patients who presented with urinary retention or other urological problems, or with a suspected diagnosis of prostatic cancer. The biopsies were processed in a Shandon Hypercenter using a 3-hour programme and were stained on a Shandon Linistainer automatic staining machine. The slides were reviewed both immediately and at weekly histopathology audit meetings., Results: Results were available within 4 h of receipt of the specimen in the laboratory. One false negative, due to a sampling error at the time of biopsy, was identified., Conclusion: We believe that this facility is of benefit to both surgeon and patient and should be more widely available.