There are over one million prostate cancer tissue biopsy procedures performed annually in the U.S. Approximately 25 percent of these tissue biopsies are reported positive, indicating the presence of prostate cancer. The remaining 75 percent are reported negative.. One-third of the men with initial negative results for prostate cancer actually do have prostate cancer that was missed by the biopsy. A prostate biopsy involves inserting fine needles into the prostate gland.