Importance of TURP in diagnosing prostate cancer in men with multiple negative biopsies

OBJECTIVE: Patients with persistently elevated PSA and multiple negative TRUS guided 12-core biopsies, present a clinical conundrum. We evaluated the efficacy of transurethral biopsy and/or resection in abetting prostate cancer diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven patients who had prostate cancer diagnosed only on TURP following TRUS guided (24-48 cores) negative biopsies, including five who underwent radical prostatectomy were assessed. Extent and site of tumour was analysed in relation to the TURP cavity. RESULTS: Mean age was 61.8 years (PSA range: 3.8-20.9 ng/ml.). Patients had TURP for worsening LUTS with chippings diagnosing invasive prostate cancer. Organ confined anterior prostate cancer was diagnosed in five who had radical prostatectomy. CONCLUSION: Anteriorly directed transurethral biopsies and/or TURP help in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in patients with multiple negative biopsies. Patients with anterior prostate cancer tend to have organ-confined disease even with higher PSA.     

Complications following combined transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsies and transurethral resection of the prostate

In order to evaluate safety and morbidity aspects of additional systematic prostate biopsies, we have conducted a retrospective review of patients who had undergone transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) combined with additional systemic prostate needle biopsies at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. To this end, the records of 80 men presenting consecutively at our institution between February 2001 and January 2004 inclusively were examined. These 80 individuals included patients experiencing obstructive voiding symptoms and those featuring suspicious screening parameters, all of whom were to undergo transurethral resection of the prostate for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), all procedures being performed by a single surgeon. A total of 20 (25%) specimens were found to be positive for prostate cancer. Cancer was detected in the transrectal prostate biopsy specimen of 16 of 57 men (28%) who had not undergone a previous prostate biopsy, and for four of 23 (17%) who had undergone at least one previous (benign) biopsy. Mild complications associated with transurethral prostrate resection, such as hematuria and hemospermia, were reported frequently, featuring rates of 10% and 2.5%, respectively; more severe complications being noted far less frequently. Fever, usually of a low grade, was observed post-operatively for six (7.5%) patients, but a prompt return to normal temperature following antibiotic treatment for one day was revealed. Four (5%) patients remained admitted to the hospital for a prolonged period following surgery. A review of the literature concerning transrectal biopsies and TUR-P has shown that surgery-associated complication rates are slightly lower than was the case for our study. Additional systematic prostate biopsies for patients undergoing TUR-P would appear to be a relatively safe treatment procedure. Identification of risk factors for post-surgery complications might further improve the safety of the screening procedure.     

Random systematic versus directed ultrasound guided transrectal core biopsies of the prostate

Random systematic ultrasound guided transrectal core biopsies of the prostate were compared to directed biopsies of specific hypoechoic defects in 136 men with abnormal prostates on digital rectal examination. Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 83 of 136 patients (62 per cent). In 80 of 83 individuals (94 per cent) the cancer was detected by random systematic biopsies alone. Of 57 men in whom random systematic and directed biopsies were obtained the results of biopsy agreed in 86 per cent, while in 9 per cent random systematic biopsies found cancers missed by directed biopsies and in 5 per cent directed biopsies diagnosed cancers missed by random systematic prostate biopsies. Ultrasound guided random systematic biopsy is simple and easily learned. When combined with additional directed biopsies of the rare hypoechoic areas not included in the pattern of systematic sampling, it provides a highly accurate means to diagnose prostate cancer, minimizing observer and sampling errors. This technique of prostate mapping with 6, 1.5 cm. cores provides valuable additional information on cancer volume, Gleason grade and the potential location of surgically positive margins, all without compromising the operation or the chance for a surgical cure.     

Predictive value of prostate specific antigen density in the detection of prostate cancer in patients with elevated prostate specific antigen levels and normal digital rectal findings or stage A prostate cancer

We compared the usefulness of PSA and PSA density (PSAD) in diagnosing prostate cancer in 102 men who had a PSA value higher than 4.0 ng/ml and normal digital rectal examination and who had undergone transrectal ultrasonography-guided systematic sextant biopsies of the prostate between August 1996 and October 1999. In addition, for a group of 53 patients who underwent retropubic simple prostatectomy, PSA, PSAD and PSA transition zone (PSA-TZ) examination results for those with stage A prostate cancer were compared with the results for those with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Of the former 102 men, 20 (19.6%) had prostate cancer. There was no significant difference in mean PSA level between patients with negative and those with positive biopsy results (mean 9.3 and 11.8, respectively, p = 0.295), but the mean PSAD of patients with positive biopsy results was significantly higher than that of those with negative results (mean 0.55 and 0.29, respectively, p = 0.0007). Of the 53 men who underwent retropubic simple prostatectomy, 10 (18.9%) were diagnosed with stage A prostate cancer. There was no significant difference in mean PSA, PSAD and PSA-TZ examination results between patients with BPH and those with stage A prostate cancer. For all 102 patients and for 71 patients with PSA levels of 4.1-10.0 ng/ml, a PSAD cutoff value of 0.1 reduced the number of biopsies 15.7% (16 of 102 cases), and 22.5% (16 of 71 cases), respectively. These results suggest that by measurement of PSAD some patients with benign disease could be spared a biopsy which would have been performed based on PSA results alone.     

Autonomic receptors in human prostate adenomas.

Radioligand receptor binding techniques were used to characterize alpha 1 adrenergic, alpha 2 adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic (MCh) binding sites in human prostate adenomas obtained from men with symptomatic and asymptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Prostate adenoma specimens were obtained from nine men with asymptomatic BPH undergoing cystoprostatectomy, 11 men with symptomatic BPH undergoing open prostatectomy, and 11 men with symptomatic BPH undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). A quantitative symptoms score analysis and urinary flow rate determinations documented the absence of bladder outlet obstruction in men undergoing cystoprostatectomy and confirmed the presence of bladder outlet obstruction in men undergoing prostatectomy. The mean equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) and the mean densities of 125I-Heat (alpha 1 adrenergic) and 3H-NMS (MCh) binding sites were similar in tissue homogenates obtained from men with asymptomatic and symptomatic BPH. The mean Kd of 3H-Rauwolscine (3H-Ra) was significantly greater in the prostatectomy specimens obtained from men with symptomatic BPH compared to the specimens obtained from men with asymptomatic BPH (p less than 0.05). The density of 3H-Ra (alpha 2 adrenergic) binding sites was significantly greater in the prostate adenomas obtained from men with symptomatic BPH compared to the prostate adenomas obtained from men with asymptomatic BPH (p less than 0.05). The difference in alpha 2 adrenoceptor density was accounted for by an increased receptor density in the open prostatectomy specimens. There was no significant correlation between alpha 2 adrenergic, alpha 1 adrenergic, and MCh receptor densities and prostate weight or patient age. This study indicates that the development of infravesical obstruction in men with BPH is not related to upregulation or altered binding affinity of alpha 1 adrenergic or MCh receptor binding sites. The significance of the observed upregulation of alpha 2 adrenoreceptors in the prostate adenomas obtained from men undergoing open prostatectomy is unknown, and requires further investigation.     

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SYSTEMATIC BIOPSIES AND HISTOLOGICAL FEATURES OF 222 RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY SPECIMENS: LACK OF PREDICTION OF TUMOR SIGNIFICANCE FOR MEN WITH NONPALPABLE PROSTATE CANCER

PURPOSE: Because of the recent increase in nonpalpable prostate cancer (clinical stage T1c) in men, preoperative needle biopsy findings have had an important role for treatment decisions. We examine the correlation among histopathological features of 6 systematic biopsies and radical prostatectomy specimens in which 1 investigator reviewed all histological sections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied a total of 450 men with clinical stage T1c prostate cancer from whom needle biopsies were matched with radical prostatectomy specimens, and selected 222 patient biopsies that were obtained from 6 or more separate regions of the prostate. The pretreatment parameters of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), PSA density, number of positive needle biopsies, distribution of positive cores, linear cancer length, and percent Gleason grade 4/5 on the biopsy were determined and compared with histopathological features of prostate cancer in the radical prostatectomy specimens. All biopsies and radical prostatectomies were evaluated morphologically at the department of urology. RESULTS: Of the 222 men the largest cancer was clinically insignificant in 23 (10%), as measured by a cancer volume of less than 0.5 cc. Cancer volume in the prostatectomy specimen was significantly related to all parameters in the biopsy, with the surprising exception of cancer distribution in the positive biopsies. However, all of these correlations with cancer volume were weak, with Pearson's correlation squared (R(2)) multiplied by 100 less than 10%. Unfortunately, tumor grade on the biopsy agreed with the prostatectomy specimen in only 81 of 222 (36%) cases. Grade assessment with needle biopsy underestimated the tumor grade in 102 (46%) cases and overestimated it in 39 (18%). No single parameter in the biopsy was a predictor of tumor significance, as measured by a cancer volume of greater than 0.5 cc. However, the best model to predict a tumor less than 0.5 cc in volume was the combination of a single positive core with cancer length less than 3 mm. that contained no Gleason grade 4/5. The use of PSA or PSA density in combination with needle biopsy findings did not enhance prediction of tumor significance. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a weak and disappointing correlation among all pathological features of 6 systematic biopsies and radical prostatectomy specimens. The combination of 1 positive core with cancer length less than 3 mm. that contains no Gleason grade 4/5 is probably the best predictor of prostate cancer less than 0.5 cc in men with nonpalpable tumors, a cancer volume that occurred in only 10% of the 222 (23) men.     

Prostate cancer screening in Tyrol, Austria: experience and results.

BACKGROUND: This article summarizes the experience and results of different prostate carcinoma screening projects using total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and percent free PSA as the initial test. METHODS: The twelve projects studied included: (1) a mass screening study using PSA as the initial test in 21,079 volunteers; (2) an investigation of the usefulness of normal and age-referenced PSA cut-offs in 1,618 men; (3) a PSA-based screening study of 2,272 asymptomatic blood donors; (4) an investigation of the evidence and significance of transition zone carcinoma in 340 men with negative digital rectal examination findings; (5) determination of percent free PSA in one retrospective and two prospective studies to determine the appropriate cutpoints for percent free PSA; (6) evaluation of the diagnostic benefit of PSA transition zone density in 308 screening volunteers; (7) a study of the impact of PSA-based screening on the percentage of incidental prostate carcinoma in 1, 543 men undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate; (8) an evaluation of the changes in total PSA and pathologic stages in radical prostatectomy over 5 years in a PSA-based mass screening program; (9) a study evaluating the probability of having prostate cancer given the patient's age, total PSA and digital rectal examination findings; (10) an evaluation of the correlation between preoperative predictors and pathologic features in radical prostatectomy specimens; (11) an investigation of the correlation of total PSA with pathologic stage and tumor volume in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with low PSA cut-off level, and (12) a study whether age has an impact on the extension of prostate cancer. RESULTS: (1) of the 21,079 volunteers, 1,618 (8%) had elevated PSA levels. Of these men, 778 (48%) underwent biopsies; 197 biopsies were positive for prostate carcinoma and 135 underwent radical prostatectomy. Ninety-five were found to be organ-confined. (2) A PSA cut-off of 2.5 ng/ml in men aged 45-49 years and of 3.5 ng/ml in men aged 50-59 years resulted in an 8% increase in the detection rate of organ-confined disease. (3) Of the 2,272 men, 284 had elevated PSA levels and prostate carcinoma was detected in 62 men. All patients underwent radical prostatectomy and histologic examination revealed organ-confined tumor in all but 8 men. (4) Ninety-eight of 340 men had biopsies positive for carcinoma; 28 of these patients (28.5%) had carcinoma that originated in the transition zone only. (5) In the retrospective study, receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that by using a percent free PSA of 18% as a biopsy criterion, 37% of the negative biopsies could be eliminated although 94% of all carcinomas would still be detected. In the first prospective study, 106 of 158 men with elevated PSA levels <10.0 ng/ml were further evaluated and 37 prostate carcinomas were detected. By using a % free PSA of <22% as a biopsy criterion, 30% of the negative biopsies could be eliminated although 98% of the carcinomas would still be detected. In the second prospective study, 120 of 465 men with total PSA levels between 1.25 and 6.49 ng/ml and a % free PSA <18% were further evaluated and 27 (22.5%) were found to have prostate carcinomas. (6) Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis for PSA transition zone density showed that by using a PSA transition zone density of >22 ng/ml/cm3 as a biopsy criterion, 24.4% of negative biopsies could be avoided without missing a single carcinoma. (7) In the prescreening era the incidence of T1a grade 1 and 2 carcinomas was 3.1% and the incidence of T1a grade 3 and T1b carcinoma was 2.3% whereas in the years after the establishment of PSA-based screening the incidence was 4.6 and 1.03% respectively. (8) The rate of organ-confined tumors increased from 28.7% in 1993 to 65.7% in 1997. (9) In this evaluation a new approach to proceed with a prostate biopsy based upon the individual risk of having prostate cancer rath     

A randomized controlled trial comparing transurethral resection of the prostate,contact laser prostatectomy and electrovaporization in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: urodynamic effects

PURPOSE: We compared urodynamic and uroflowmetry improvements in men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) after transurethral prostate resection, contact laser prostatectomy and electrovaporization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed in men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of BPH who met the criteria of the International Scientific Committee on BPH, had a prostate volume of between 20 and 65 ml., and a Sch?fer obstruction grade of 2 or greater. Before and 6 months after treatment urodynamics and free uroflowmetry were performed. RESULTS: A total of 50, 45 and 46 men were randomized to transurethral prostate resection, laser treatment and electrovaporization, respectively. Baseline characteristics were similar in the 3 groups. Detrusor contractility did not change in any of the treatment groups. The average maximum free flow rate increased by a factor of 2.4 after transurethral prostate resection, 2.5 after laser prostatectomy and 2.4 after electrovaporization. The Sch?fer obstruction grade decreased by a factor of 0.3 in all groups. Obstruction (Sch?fer grade greater than 2) was not noted after transurethral prostate resection or electrovaporization but it was evident in 2 patients after laser prostatectomy. Effective capacity increased by a factor of 1.5 or more. The incidence of detrusor instability was decreased by half in all groups. The incidence of significant post-void residual urine volume decreased in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in the improvement in urodynamic and uroflowmetry parameters 6 months after treatment when comparing transurethral prostate resection, contact laser prostatectomy and electrovaporization in men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of BPH.     

Transrectal ultrasound in early detection of clinical stage A prostate cancer

A group of 40 select men were studied to assess the value of transrectal ultrasound in the early detection of prostate cancer. All had a benign digital rectal examination and had either irritative lower tract symptoms, hematospermia, microhematuria, or an elevated acid phosphatase. Of the men, 28 had an abnormal ultrasound and underwent a directed prostate needle biopsy to assess the ability to detect clinical Stager A cancer. Eleven men (40%) were found to have cancer, all having hypoechoic lesions. The remainder were found to have benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) with hyperechoic lesions predominating (88%). Our results suggest that transrectal ultrasound is a useful and sensitive method for the detection of prostate tumors not clinically evident on digital rectal examination in select patients.     

The significance of prior benign needle biopsies in men subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: We determine the relationship between a history of benign needle biopsies, and the volume and location of cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 395 men who underwent radical prostatectomy for stage T1c (nonpalpable) prostate cancer. RESULTS: Of the men 74 had 1 or more prior benign needle biopsies. Prior benign biopsy correlated with tumor in the anterior or lateral portion of the radical prostatectomy specimen (p = 0.044) and prostate weight (p = 0.002). The likelihood of prior benign biopsy was 32.5% for men with a 75 gm. or greater prostate compared to 15.2% for those with a less than 75 gm. prostate. Although prior benign biopsy correlated with "very limited" tumor in the prostate (less than 0.2 cc, no Gleason pattern 4 or 5 and organ confined disease) (p = 0.005), only 28.4% of patients with prior benign biopsy had "very limited" tumor. In a multivariate analysis prior benign biopsy correlated only with anterior or lateral distribution and enlarged prostate size. Of the prior benign biopsy cases 12% had positive margins, average tumor volume was 1.15 cc and 27% had nonorgan confined disease. These figures were not different from those in cases with cancer on the first biopsy. In prior benign biopsy cases although PSA velocity predicted tumor volume and "very limited" tumor, a specific clinically useful cutoff value was not present. Needle biopsy grade and number of positive cores were not predictive of tumor volume or "very limited" cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Prior benign biopsy in men subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer does not indicate indolent tumor. Benign biopsies are more likely in larger prostate glands and when cancer is in the anterior and lateral regions of the gland, suggesting the need for different biopsy strategies to improve cancer detection.     

The relative proportion of stromal and epithelial hyperplasia is related to the development of symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia.

The specific features of the prostate adenoma predisposing to the development of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are unknown. Our objective was to determine whether the histological composition of the prostate adenoma is related to the development of symptomatic BPH. Prostate adenomas were obtained from men with asymptomatic BPH undergoing cystoprostatectomy for invasive transitional cell carcinoma, and from men with symptomatic BPH undergoing open prostatectomy, transurethral resection of the prostate and pharmacotherapy. The severity of bladder outlet obstruction was evaluated with the Boyarsky symptom score and uroflowmetry. The percentages of stroma, epithelium and glandular lumen were determined in the prostate adenomas via quantitative image analysis on a computer-assisted morphometry system. The prostate adenomas from the 33 men with symptomatic BPH contained 62 +/- 1%, 15 +/- 1% and 23 +/- 1 of stroma, epithelium and glandular lumen, respectively. The prostate adenomas from 6 men with asymptomatic disease contained 54 +/- 1%, 21 +/- 1% and 25 +/- 1% of stroma, epithelium and glandular lumen, respectively. The ratios of stromal-to-epithelial hyperplasia in the prostate adenomas from men with symptomatic and asymptomatic disease were 4.6 +/- 0.3 and 2.7 +/- 0.1, respectively. The differences in percentage of stroma and epithelium, and the stromal-to-epithelial ratio in the prostate adenomas from men with symptomatic and asymptomatic BPH were statistically significant. Our study suggests that the histological composition of the prostate adenoma is related to the development of symptomatic BPH.     

A comparative analysis of sextant and an extended 11-core multisite directed biopsy strategy

PURPOSE: The 3 tumor locations unsampled by conventional sextant biopsies that have been identified on composite 3-dimensional reconstruction of 180 radical prostatectomy specimens are the anterior transition zone, midline peripheral zone and inferior portions of the anterior horn in the peripheral zone. We evaluated an 11-core multisite directed biopsy scheme incorporating these alternate areas and conventional sextant biopsies in 362 patients from 2 institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients without a prior diagnosis of cancer underwent ultrasound guided 11-core biopsies which included conventional sextant and 3 alternate sites. All specimens were separated for specific location identification. Biopsy was performed in 183 patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center (group 1) and in 179 at Toronto General Hospital (group 2). All group 2 and 54% of group 1 patients (98 of 183) had a prior biopsy negative for cancer. RESULTS: Median prostate specific antigen was higher in group 2 than in group 1 patients (11.5 versus 9.5 ng./ml., p = 0.016). Overall a 33% increase (36 of 110 patients) in cancer detection was observed when biopsy technique included the alternate areas (p = 0.0021). The anterior horn was the most frequently positive biopsy site followed by the transition zone and midline sites. The 11-core technique had significantly better cancer detection rates when digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasound were normal, and in men with serum prostate specific antigen between 4.1 and 10 ng./ml. CONCLUSIONS: Biopsies of the alternate sites suggested by our simulation studies are feasible and reproducible. This new strategy significantly enhanced (p = 0.0075) prostate cancer detection compared to conventional sextant biopsies in men undergoing a repeat procedure.     

Transperineal prostate biopsy after abdominoperineal resection

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer evaluation in men who have undergone abdominoperineal resection poses a challenge for urologists. Diagnosis and staging methods are limited because as access to the prostate via digital rectal examination is not possible. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been used to screen for malignancy in this population. However, the conventional diagnostic technique with transrectal ultrasound guided biopsies cannot be used. Transperineal ultrasound and biopsy have been described to evaluate the prostate in this setting. We report our experience with transperineal ultrasound biopsy for evaluating the prostate in patients with elevated PSA who have previously undergone abdominoperineal resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 28 patients treated at 2 institutions. All patients had a history of abdominoperineal resection and subsequent transperineal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy for evaluating elevated PSA. Mean serum PSA in this population was 22 ng./ml. (median 9.5, range 4.1 to 237). Abdominoperineal resection was done in 16 patients (57%) for colorectal cancer, in 11 (39%) for ulcerative colitis and in 1 (4%) for familial polyposis coli. Average time since resection was 14 years (range 1 to 33). Five patients had previously undergone radiation therapy as part of treatment for colorectal cancer before transperineal ultrasound biopsy. RESULTS: Of the 28 biopsies performed 23 revealed prostate cancer, 2 revealed prostatitis and 3 were benign. Average Gleason grade was 6.6 (range 3 to 9). Of the 23 patients with prostate cancer 22 were treated with androgen deprivation therapy (7), prostatectomy (8), external beam (6) and high dose (1) radiation therapy. Of the 8 patients who underwent prostatectomy pathological stage was T2 in 3 and T3 in 4, while pathological findings were not determined in 1 patient in whom the prostate was removed in pieces. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a history of abdominoperineal resection and elevated PSA transperineal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate can provide an accurate tissue diagnosis.     

USEFULNESS OF DIGITAL RECTAL EXAMINATION, SERUM PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN, TRANSRECTAL ULTRAS ONOGRAPHY AND SYSTEMATIC PROSTATE BIOPSY FOR THE DETECTION OF ORGAN-CONFINED PROSTATE CANCER

The detection rate of organ-confined prostate cancer by digital rectal examination (DRE), serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) of the prostate, as well as the value of a directed, guided transrectal core biopsy for the prostate (TRUS-guided biopsy) combined with systematic biopsy, were evaluated. The subjects were 171 patients with urinary symptoms suggestive of prostatic disease excluding those with clinical stage C and D prostate cancer. Twenty-five patients (14.6%) had prostate cancer, 127 (74.2%) had benign prostate hypertrophy, four (2.3%) had prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, eleven (6.4%) had inflammation, and four (2.3%) had normal prostate tissue. The incidence of detection of hypoechoic findings by TRUS in the patients in whom nodules were detected by DRE or who had elevated serum PSA was higher than that in patients with negative diagnostic findings. In 22 of the 25 patients with prostate cancer, the cancer was detected by recognition of a hypoechoic area on TRUS. In 10 of these 22 patients, prostate cancer was also detected by systematic biopsy in isoechoic areas. Prostate cancer was detected by systematic biopsy in three patients without hypoechoic findings. The positive predictive value for patients with abnormal findings on all three tests was 64.3%, which is significantly higher than that for patients with any other combination of findings (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that the combination of DRE, serum PSA and TRUS is useful for the detection of organ-confined prostate cancer, and that TRUS and TRUS-guided prostate biopsy combined with systematic biopsy should be performed in patients with abnormal findings for both DRE and PSA. Our results also demonstrate that systematic biopsy is useful for the detention of prostate cancer from the isoechoic area visualized by TRUS.     

Contractile properties of human prostate adenomas and the development of infravesical obstruction

The contractile response of human prostate adenomas to KCl, phenylephrine (alpha 1 adrenergic agonist), UK 14304 (alpha 2 adrenergic agonist), and carbachol (muscarinic cholinergic agonist) was evaluated in tissue specimens obtained from men with symptomatic and asymptomatic BPH. Prostate specimens were obtained from 5 men with asymptomatic BPH undergoing cystoprostatectomy, 11 men with symptomatic BPH undergoing open prostatectomy, and 11 men with symptomatic BPH undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Quantitative symptom score analysis and urinary flow rate determination documented the absence of bladder outlet obstruction in men undergoing cystoprostatectomy and confirmed the presence of bladder outlet obstruction in men undergoing prostatectomy. The magnitude of the contractile response (Emax) and the potency of phenylephrine-induced contractions (EC50) in prostatic preparations obtained from men with symptomatic and asymptomatic BPH were similar. The IC50 for the inhibition of phenylephrine-induced contractions by prazosin was 3.2 nM, confirming that phenylephrine-induced contraction in the human prostate is mediated by the alpha 1 adrenoceptor. The contractile responses of prostate adenomas to muscarinic cholinergic and alpha 2 agonists were negligible. This study demonstrates that the development of bladder outlet obstruction in men with BPH is not related to alterations in the functional response of the smooth muscle component of the prostate adenoma.     

Value of transrectal prostate ultrasonography pre-transurethral prostatectomy in screening for occult prostate carcinoma

A total of 311 patients who underwent consecutive transurethral resection of prostate (T URP) for obstructive voiding symptoms were reviewed. All patients had benign prostate glands by digital rectal examination. Results of preoperative ultrasound screening of the prostate in 65 of 311 patients showed 41 with nonmalignant prostate, but pathologic examination showed cancer in 11 and benign hyperplasia in 30. Of seven ultrasounds interpreted as suspicious for cancer, pathologic examination revealed benign hyperplasia in all seven. Of 17 patients with ultrasound interpretations consistent with prostate cancer, 14 had transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies prior to T URP. Biopsy specimens revealed benign hyperplasia without carcinoma in all 14 patients. Two of 17 patients refused biopsies, and 1 underwent TURP without biopsy for urinary retention and did have cancer. Sensitivity of prostate ultrasound in evaluation of occult prostate carcinoma in this group of patients was 8.3 percent and specificity was 56.6 percent. Our results indicate that transrectal prostate ultrasound performed on men with obstructive voiding symptoms and benign glands as evidenced by digital rectal palpation has little value in predicting the presence or absence of occult prostate cancer.     

Follow-up of men with elevated prostate-specific antigen and one set of benign biopsies at prostate cancer screening

OBJECTIVE: To study the follow-up of men with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (>3 ng/ml) after one benign set of sextant biopsies. From the G?teborg branch of the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC). METHOD: 456 men with one set of benign sextant biopsies were followed every second year for 4 years with PSA determinations. In cases of elevated PSA, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided sextant biopsies were suggested. Digital rectal examination (DRE), prostate volume, PSA, PSA density (PSAD) and the ratio between free and total PSA (PSA F/T) were recorded. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 322 men. 3 groups were identified. In 84/322 (26%) men cancer was found ("cancer" group). 182/322 (56%) had benign biopsies ("benign" group) and 56/322 (17%) had normalised PSA ("normalised PSA" group). Median prostate volumes were 36, 46, and 33 cc respectively in the three groups. DRE and/or TRUS were abnormal in only 30% of the men in all groups. Cancer was not found in any prostate >70 cc volume. In prostates of <20 cc either cancer was found or PSA was normalised. The "normalised PSA" group had initial PSA, PSAD and PSA F/T similar to cancer, normalising during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with one negative sextant biopsy still have a high likelihood of cancer, especially men with persistently elevated PSA and small prostates (<20 cc) while the majority of men with large prostates (>70 cc) have PSA elevation due to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and not to cancer.     

Significance of routine transition zone biopsies in Japanese men undergoing transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of additional routine transition zone (TZ) biopsies in Japanese men undergoing transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided systematic 8-core peripheral zone (PZ) biopsies. METHODS: Between October 2002 and December 2004, a total of 788 consecutive patients underwent TRUS-guided systematic biopsy of the prostate for the fi rst time. As a rule, 10 cores were taken from each patient; that is, 8 cores from the PZ, including the standard sextant cores and 2 cores from the anterior lateral horns, and 2 additional cores from the bilateral TZ. The cancer detection rate was calculated according to several parameters. We also assessed the disease extent on radical prostatectomy specimens according to the cancer location within the biopsy specimens. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was detected by 10-core biopsies in 209 (26.5%) of the 788 patients, and 11 of these patients had positive cores only in the TZ; that is, the increase in cancer detection rate by sampling two additional cores from the TZ was 5.3%. Among 209 patients diagnosed as having prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy without any neoadjuvant therapy was performed in 59 patients with positive biopsy cores in the PZ, 7 in the TZ and 32 in both the PZ and TZ. Patients with positive cores in both zones showed significantly less favorable characteristics, indicating more advanced disease than that in those with positive cores in either zone. CONCLUSIONS: Routine TZ biopsy did not significantly increase the detection rate of prostate cancer; however, the anatomical location of positive biopsy cores could provide additional information concerning disease extension in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.     

Extensive repeat transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy in patients with previous benign sextant biopsies

PURPOSE: Standard sextant prostate biopsy may underestimate cancer in men in whom clinical findings are suspicious for localized prostate cancer. We describe our experience with extensive transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy in men in whom previous sextant biopsy was negative. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 1997 and March 1999, 57 men 47 to 72 years old (mean age 61.4) underwent extensive transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate using intravenous sedation at our institution. An average of 22.5 cores (range 15 to 31) were obtained depending on prostate size. Biopsies were obtained from each of 6 sagittal regions, including samples from the far lateral and mid transitional zones. Each patient had undergone at least 1 previous benign transrectal ultrasound guided sextant biopsy (mean 2.1, range 1 to 4). Indications for repeat biopsy were persistently elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) in 89% of the cases, increased PSA velocity in 63%, suspicious free-to-total PSA in 39% and a previous suspicious biopsy finding in 32%. Clinical factors (PSA, PSA velocity, free-to-total PSA and previous suspicious biopsy) were analyzed for the ability to predict positive biopsy, and tumor parameters were assessed pathologically in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: Adenocarcinoma was identified in 17 of the 57 men (30%). Biopsy revealed a Gleason score of 6 to 8 (mean 6.4). In 7 of the 17 patients (41%) in whom cancer was identified only 1 biopsy core was positive. Of the 15 patients in whom previous sextant biopsy had demonstrated high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia or atypical small acinar proliferation extensive biopsy revealed cancer in 7 (47%). Although serum PSA was higher and free-to-total PSA was lower in those with cancer, the only statistically significant predictor of positive biopsy was PSA velocity (p <0.001). Prostate cancer was noted in 64% of the men with PSA velocity 1 ng./ml. or greater. Of the 13 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy pathologically significant disease was identified in all but 1 (92%). Complications of extensive biopsy included urinary retention in 6 patients and limited rectal bleeding in 1. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive prostate biopsy identifies significant prostate cancer in many men in whom previous sextant biopsy was benign. This procedure should be considered when findings are suspicious for adenocarcinoma despite previously negative sextant biopsy.     

Diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma using transurethral resection of the prostate after multiple negative transrectal biopsies and persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen level

We report a case of prostate cancer diagnosis by transurethral resection of the prostate in a man who underwent more than 50 needle biopsies by three different physicians for an increasing prostate-specific antigen level. Radical prostatectomy resulted in removal of an organ-confined tumor (T2aN0M0), and a short follow-up revealed an undetectable prostate-specific antigen level.