Update on transrectal ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the prostate

Over the past decade, the sextant biopsy technique has emerged as the standard of care in the detection of prostate cancer. This technique is easy to learn and well tolerated by patients and has a major complication rate of <1%. However, limitations in cancer detection have been appreciated, particularly a false-negative rate approaching 25%. This high failure rate has led investigators to refine biopsy techniques to improve cancer detection. Intuitively, increasing the total number of cores should improve cancer detection. However, the optimal core number has yet to be defined. Confounding factors include variability of prostate size, tumor volume, and tumor location. Currently, a new standard is emerging prescribing a minimum of eight cores, of which at least three are directed at the lateral aspect of the peripheral zone. These additional biopsies appear to enhance cancer detection by about 15%. The improved yield is most pronounced among patients with a serum prostate specific antigen concentration between 4 and 10 ng/mL and larger gland volume (>50 cc). These additional biopsies may decrease the need for repeat biopsies. In the meantime, strategies are being developed for the optimal technique of repeat biopsies among patients with persistent clinical suspicion in the setting of a prior negative biopsy. Currently, recommendations include increasing the biopsy number to a minimum of 10 cores, including sampling of the lateral peripheral and transition zones.     

The technique of ultrasound guided prostate biopsy

This article discusses the preparations for ultrasound guided prostate biopsy, the conditions used and the process of performing a biopsy. The first step in preparing the patient is a cleansing enema before biopsy. Every author proposes the use of a preoperative antibiotic based prophylaxis. Differences may be found in the type, dosage and the duration of this preoperative application, which can last from 2 h to 2 days. For anaesthesia, lidocaine has been proposed, which may be used as a gel applied in the rectum or in the form of a prostate infiltrate. Quite a few colleagues administer a brief intravenous narcosis. A major debate goes on in respect of defining the number of biopsy samples needed. Hodge proposed sextant biopsy in 1989, for which we had false negative findings in 20% of all cases. Because of this, it has recently been suggested that eight or rather ten samples be taken. There are some who question even this. Twelve biopsy samples do offer an advantage compared to six, although in the case of eight this is not the case. We shall present an in depth discussion of the various opinions on the different numbers of biopsies samples required. For the sample site, the apex, the base and the middle part are proposed, and (completing the process) two additional samples can also be taken from the transition zone (TZ), since 20% of all prostate cancers originate from TZ. In case of a palpable nodule or any lesion made visible by TRUS, an additional, targeted, biopsy has to be performed. Certain new techniques like the 3-D Doppler, contrast, intermittent and others shall also be presented. The control of the full length of samples taken by a gun, as well as the proper conservation of the samples, are parts of pathological processing and of the technical tasks. A repeated biopsy is necessary in the case of PIN atypia, beyond which the author also discusses other indications for a repeated biopsy. We may expect the occurrence of direct postoperative complications and it is necessary to know how to treat these.     

Transperineal prostate biopsy: a review of technique

As the second most diagnosed cancer worldwide, prostate cancer is confirmed via tissue biopsy. Given the large number of prostate biopsies performed each year, the technique should be as accurate and safe as possible for the patient’s well-being. Transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-biopsy) is most offered worldwide. Transperineal biopsy (TPP-biopsy), on the other hand, has been gaining popularity due to its superior sensitivity and lower rate of sepsis. This article offers a review of the brachytherapy grid technique used to perform a TPP-biopsy, as well as a discussion of possible variations in the procedure. TPP-biopsy is typically performed under general anaesthesia with patient in lithotomy. Through the perineum, cores of tissue are taken systematically, with or without targeting, under US guidance. Different fusion techniques (cognition, MRI-US fusion software, MRI in-bore) can be used to target pre-identified lesions on MRI. The sampling can be done either by free hand or using a brachytherapy grid. Robotic assisted prostate biopsy is also available on the market as an alternative. In recent years, there has been accumulating evidence showing that it is safe and feasible to perform TPPB under local anaesthesia. This may improve the uptake of TPPB as the preferred biopsy technique for prostate cancer.     

Use of extended pattern technique for initial prostate biopsy

PURPOSE: An extended prostate biopsy schema has been advocated at initial prostate biopsy to decrease the rate of false-negative cancer cases. However, critics have raised concerns that this may lead to the greater detection of clinically insignificant cancers. We examined the impact of using an extended pattern schema on cancer detection and also on the finding of smaller and clinically insignificant cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data, including patient age, race, prebiopsy prostate specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination, prostate volume, number of needle cores and biopsy findings were abstracted from the medical records of all patients who underwent prostate biopsy in a 5-year period. Extended pattern prostate biopsy was defined as more than 10 cores. Clinically insignificant cancer was defined as a maximal tumor dimension of 1.0 cm or less, Gleason sum 6 or less and organ confined disease at radical prostatectomy. Adjusted regression models were developed to assess the independent effects of using an extended biopsy pattern on the detection of cancer overall and on the detection of clinically insignificant cancer. RESULTS: A total of 740 men with a mean age of 62.6 years were referred for prostate biopsy. Median PSA was 5.7 ng/ml and prostate volume was 39.7 cc. The OR for detecting prostate cancer was 1.55 (95% CI 1.09 to 2.19) for the extended pattern compared with standard biopsy. Of the subset of 136 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy 12.6% had clinically insignificant cancer. However, in contrast to overall cancer detection, extended pattern prostate biopsy was not found to be associated with an increased risk of detecting smaller or clinically insignificant cancer. PSA density was the single parameter found to be independently associated with the detection of clinically insignificant cancer (95% CI 0.20 to 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Using an extended prostate biopsy pattern involving more than 10 cores increases the likelihood of detecting prostate cancer. A significant association between more needle cores at initial prostate biopsy and finding smaller and clinically insignificant cancer was not apparent.     

MRI-spectroscopy-guided prostate biopsy

Prostate cancer is currently one of the main causes of urological practice workload. Patients with negative prostate biopsies may pose serious problems to the urologist in the decision making process for follow-up due to the lack of definitive data in the follow-up algorithm. MRI spectroscopy seems to open a diagnostic window evaluating prostatic metabolic changes. The performance of perineal prostatic biopsy with stabilizer and template enables selective biopsy of the suspect voxels following the spectroscopic study, simulating the Rubick's cube.     

经会阴前列腺穿刺与经直肠前列腺穿刺活检在前列腺癌诊断的初探

目的 对比经会阴与经直肠前列腺穿刺活检在前列腺癌诊断中的阳性率及并发症。方法 回顾分析2017年1月到2019年12月行前列腺穿刺活检的病例,经直肠组187例,经会阴组68例。结果 经直肠组阳性穿刺率为34.7%,经会阴组阳性穿刺率为29.4%,两组无统计学差异（P>0.05）。穿刺后经直肠组和经会阴组的血尿发生率分别为40.1%、42.6%,尿潴留发生率分别为6.9%、7.3%,直肠出血发生率分别为1.1%、0%,差别无统计学意义（P>0.05）。穿刺后经直肠组和经会阴组的会阴肿胀的发生率分别为2.6%、13.2%,两组有统计学差异（P<0.05）。结论 超声引导下经直肠、经会阴前列腺穿刺活检均为前列腺癌诊断的有效方法。两者穿刺阳性率无明显差异,但并发症各有特点。     

Prevention of infection during transrectal biopsy of prostate through double-glove technique.

Eighty male patients, most of whom had suspicious prostatic nodules on digital examination, were subjected to transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate. The biopsy needle was held between the gloved hand and an overlying sterile finger cot on the index finger. When the lesion was palpated, the needle was pushed through the finger cot and a tissue specimen obtained. All patients were treated orally with minocycline hydrochloride 100 mg. twice a day starting eight to twelve hours before biopsy and continuing at this dosage for five days after biopsy. Except for one episode of transitory hematuria, there were no reports of infection or complication, as manifested by fever, chills, or transrectal or transurethral bleeding.     

Atypical cribriform lesions on prostate biopsy

Atypical cribriform lesions on prostate needle biopsy specimens are rare and difficult to diagnose. Of 574 high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions on needle biopsy seen at our institution over 75 months, we identified 23 consult cases in which the differential diagnosis was cribriform high-grade PIN versus infiltrating cribriform carcinoma. Prebiopsy prostate-specific antigen (PSA) averaged 6.5 ng/mL (range, 0.3 to 37.3). A positive digital rectal examination (DRE) was present in 12 of 22 (55%) patients for whom information was available. Ordinary high-grade PIN was present elsewhere in the biopsy specimens in 32% of cases. The following architectural features of cribriform glands were evaluated: number (mean, 5; range, 1 to 21); largest size (mean, 0.5 mm; range, 0.1 to 1 mm); necrosis (14%); detached cribriform fragments (18%); stromal fibrosis (18%); and bilaterality (22%). Cytologically, there was cellular maturation toward the center of the cribriform glands (45%); identifiable basal cells on hematoxylin and eosin sections (36%); marked nuclear atypia (9%); and mitoses (23%). Nucleoli were not visible in 18% of cases, small in 36%, and prominent in 45%. With a mean follow-up of 13.8 months for those without progression (25.9 months' overall follow-up), a repeat biopsy diagnosis of cancer was seen in 10 of 22 men [by report: Gleason score (Gs) 4 (n = 1); Gs 6 (n = 3); Gs 7 (n = 4); Gs 9 (n = 2); three biopsy specimens showed ductal features]. An additional two men developed bone metastases without biopsy. Overall, 12 of 22 (55%) patients had cancer on follow-up (one patient lost to follow-up). Four clinicopathologic findings predicted carcinoma on follow-up: positive DRE (p = 0.02); positive transrectal ultrasound (p = 0.02); bilateral atypical cribriform glands (p = 0.02); and detached cribriform glands (p = 0.04).     

Update on photoselective vaporization of the prostate

Photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) with a potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser may be the most promising new technology applied to the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The specific laser light characteristics and the ideal interactions between KTP lasers and prostatic tissue result in an even and efficient vaporization of the prostate and the formation of a clearly deobstructed prostate cavity. PVP can be a day-care procedure, with few hours of catheterization and minimal postoperative discomfort, offering outcomes at least equivalent to the reference standard transurethral resection of the prostate. Although larger studies are necessary to further define where PVP stands in the management of BPH, this review focuses on contemporary treatment techniques and their limitations, and comments on the outcomes of its current use.     

Update on prostate cancer in black men

Background

Carcinoma of the prostate (CaP) is the most common male malignancy worldwide and the highest incidence has been recorded in black men. CaP appears to have a more aggressive biology in this sub-population but the reasons for these observed differences have not been fully elucidated. This article is a review of the current published evidence on the disease in black men.

Methods

We searched Pubmed and Google for articles on CaP with an emphasis on those focusing on sub-population differences. Published abstracts of presentations at international scientific meetings were also reviewed.

Results

Molecular studies suggest that black men have a genetic predisposition to the development and/or progression of CaP. Variations in several genes and cellular pathways have been implicated in their increased CaP risk. Clinicopathologic differences include more prevalent and extensive high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values at initial diagnosis. Sociocultural differences in access and uptake of health care resulting in delayed presentation along with differential care are also thought to contribute to the poorer outcomes associated with prostatic malignancy in black men.

Conclusion

Considerable evidence exists on the effect of black ethnicity on the molecular and clinical characteristics of CaP. More studies into the racial differences in the incidence and prognosis of CaP are required to provide information about the mechanisms responsible for this observation.     

Update on cryotherapy for localized prostate cancer

Stage migration has led to an increased incidence of localized and low-risk prostate cancer. Intermediate-term data are emerging on the efficacy of cryotherapy, but direct comparison to other therapeutic modalities is difficult as the parameters for recurrence are not well defined. Studies using the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology and the Phoenix (nadir plus 2) criteria for biochemical recurrence show that primary cryotherapy appears to be comparable for low-risk prostate cancer as other treatment modalities. In addition, health-related quality-of-life measures have improved with the most recent third-generation systems demonstrating low incontinence and urethrorectal fistula rates. Erectile dysfunction is high with whole gland ablation, but focal therapy may reduce these rates while still ablating unilateral cancerous tissue. Prostate cryotherapy for localized prostate cancer is an evolving but viable therapeutic option. Long-term data are still needed to establish a definitive role for cryosurgery in prostate cancer treatment.     

Update on watchful waiting for prostate cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With the advent of widespread prostate-specific antigen screening, smaller volume prostate cancers are detected earlier. Given the long natural history of such tumors, watchful waiting may represent an effective management strategy for some men. Recent evidence regarding this strategy and our experience is highlighted. RECENT FINDINGS: Watchful waiting as traditionally practiced involves the institution of palliative therapy as the disease progresses at a time when cure is no longer possible. Recent research and some key discoveries related to preoperative parameters predicting disease significance have resulted in a new form of watchful waiting. Expectant management with curative intent aims to follow patients with early diagnosed, small volume low grade disease without immediate therapy. Curative treatment is then initiated at the first sign of progression at a time when cure is still possible. Studies regarding patients managed expectantly and retrospective reviews of treatment trends along with new predictive nomograms continue to shed light on expectant management as an option for men with clinically localized prostate cancer. SUMMARY: Expectant management has evolved to include cure as its ultimate goal. Early data regarding such a strategy indicate that it may be a reasonable alternative for a select group of older men. For men with a long life expectancy, disease is likely to progress and such a strategy is not currently recommended. The long-term efficacy of this approach will be determined with further follow-up.     

Saturation technique does not improve cancer detection as an initial prostate biopsy strategy

PURPOSE: We reported on the results of a sequential cohort study comparing office based saturation prostate biopsy to traditional 10-core sampling as an initial biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on improved cancer detection of office based saturation prostate biopsy repeat biopsy, we adopted the technique as an initial biopsy strategy to improve cancer detection. Two surgeons performed 24-core saturation prostate biopsies in 139 patients undergoing initial biopsy under periprostatic local anesthesia. Indication for biopsy was an increased PSA of 2.5 ng/dl or greater in all patients. Results were compared to those of 87 patients who had previously undergone 10-core initial biopsies. RESULTS: Cancer was detected in 62 of 139 patients (44.6%) who underwent saturation biopsy and in 45 of 87 patients (51.7%) who underwent 10-core biopsy (p >0.9). Breakdown by PSA level failed to show benefit to the saturation technique for any degree PSA increase. Men with PSA 2.5 to 9.9 ng/dl were found to have cancer in 53 of 122 (43.4%) saturation biopsies and 26 of 58 (44.8%) 10-core biopsies. Complications included 3 cases of prostatitis in each group. Rectal bleeding was troublesome enough to require evaluation only in 3 men in the saturation group and 1 in the 10-core group. CONCLUSIONS: Although saturation prostate biopsy improves cancer detection in men with suspicion of cancer following a negative biopsy, it does not appear to offer benefit as an initial biopsy technique. These findings suggest that further efforts at extended biopsy strategies beyond 10 to 12 cores are not appropriate as an initial biopsy strategy.