Complications of transrectal versus transperineal prostate biopsy

BACKGROUND: There are two established techniques of prostate biopsy: the more widely used transrectal technique, and the transperineal technique. Although the transrectal technique is faster, it is reported to have an increased risk of septic complications, which may be life threatening. The present study compares complication rates of both techniques at Nambour General Hospital. METHODS: The present retrospective study was performed by reviewing all available medical charts of men who underwent prostate biopsy during the years 1996-2001. The following data were recorded in a database: date of birth; digital rectal examination findings; serum prostate specific antigen (PSA); biopsy technique; number of cores taken; number of positive cores; Gleason grade and score; complications. Results were tabulated and simple statistical analysis performed to compare both groups. RESULTS: A total of 197 biopsies was included in the study, with 81 transperineal biopsies in 75 men, and 116 transrectal biopsies in 103 men. There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates, including sepsis, between transrectal biopsy and transperineal biopsy. The rate of sepsis was 1.2% for the transperineal technique, and 0% for the transrectal technique (P = 0.411, Fisher exact test). Overall complication rates were 22.2% for transperineal technique and 19.8% for transrectal technique (P = 0.773, Fisher exact test). CONCLUSION: Although the present study was limited by retrospective design and size it suggests that both techniques are equally safe. A review of medical literature supports a tranperineal approach to patients who will tolerate sepsis poorly, or who have a suspected inflammatory cause of their raised PSA.     

Differences in biopsy features between prostate cancers located in the transition and peripheral zone

OBJECTIVE: To identify the zonal location of prostate cancers before surgery, by analysing the mapping of ultrasonography-guided systematic sextant biopsies for differences between cancers located in the transition zone (TZ) and peripheral zone (PZ); and to compare the correlation between Gleason scores of needle biopsies and those of radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 186 patients with TZ (46) and PZ cancers (140) underwent ultrasonography-guided systematic sextant biopsy and RP at the same institution. The clinical and pathological characteristics, and the anatomical location of positive biopsies, were determined and compared using t-tests and chi-square tests. Differences between Gleason scores of needle biopsies and those of RP specimens were evaluated and compared by Cohen kappa testing. RESULTS: TZ cancers had a significantly lower rate of positive biopsies in the middle (63% vs 80%) and base (50% vs 80%) of the prostate than had PZ cancers. Positive biopsies were exclusively obtained from the apex in 19.6% of TZ and 5% of PZ cancers (P = 0.002). There was exact agreement between Gleason scores of needle biopsies and those of RP specimens in 15.2% of TZ (kappa = 0.02) and 55% of PZ cancers (kappa = 0.25), respectively. CONCLUSION: Compared with PZ cancers, TZ cancers had a different anatomical pattern of positive biopsies, with lower rates in the middle and base of the prostate. The finding of positive biopsies exclusively in the apex favoured prostate cancer located in the TZ. Furthermore, the correlation between needle biopsy Gleason scores and those of the RP specimens was clearly lower in TZ cancers.     

经直肠剪切波弹性成像技术联合移行区穿刺在前列腺癌诊断中的应用价值

目的:探讨经直肠剪切波弹性成像(SWE)技术联合移行区穿刺诊断前列腺癌的临床应用价值。方法:对489例疑诊前列腺癌患者行经直肠超声(TRUS)及SWE引导下的前列腺穿刺活检,并以穿刺活检病理结果作为金标准,评估SWE联合移行区穿刺对提高前列腺癌检出率的作用。结果:489例患者病理结果显示:前列腺癌221例,前列腺良性病变268例。在系统性穿刺基础上,应用SWE联合移行区穿刺诊断前列腺癌的检出率为45.19%,显著高于单独系统性穿刺活检的检出率33.13%(P0.05);SWE诊断前列腺癌的敏感性、特异性及准确性均明显优于TRUS,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);SWE检测癌组织平均杨氏模量值(Emean)为(40.1±9.5)k Pa,良性病灶Emean值为(21.6±8.3)k Pa,两者差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);应用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)分析得出,当Emean值为28.5 k Pa时曲线下面积为0.899,诊断敏感性为88.71%,特异性为86.23%。结论:应用SWE联合移行区穿刺可显著提高前列腺癌检出率;当以Emean值28.5 k Pa作为截点时具有最佳的诊断效能。     

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.     

Complications following combined transrectal aspiration and core biopsy of the prostate

Ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate with fine needle (22G) as well as trucut needle (18G) was performed in 145 patients with a suspicion of prostate cancer. After three weeks all patients were interviewed about complications associated with the biopsy. Hematuria and/or hemospermia occurred in 2/3 of the patients. None of the hemorrhages was severe and all ceased spontaneously. E. coli infection of the urinary tract occurred in 9 cases (6.2%). Five of the infections caused high fever and necessitated hospital care with parenteral antibiotics for 1 to 8 days. The patients with infection had no signs of immunological defects by which they might have been identified before the biopsy. As a consequence of these observations we now use prophylactic antibiotics when core biopsy of the prostate is performed transrectally.     

前列腺移行带及外周带基质细胞表型特征的研究

目的研究前列腺移行带和外周带基质细胞的表型特征，并比较其差异。方法透射电镜观察3例（年龄分别为21、28和33岁）尸体供者正常前列腺移行带和外周带、3例手术切除的良性前列腺增生（BPH）组织标本移行带基质细胞的超微结构。结果正常移行带间质中富集平滑肌细胞，但大多功能静止，外周带间质分布大量成纤维细胞；成纤维细胞在正常移行带功能旺盛，粗面内质网扩张明显，蛋白合成活跃，而在外周带发生线粒体基质空泡样变性，提示存在功能减退。与移行带相比，外周带平滑肌细胞功能活跃。在增生的移行带中可见大量平滑肌细胞和成纤维细胞，二者功能旺盛，成纤维细胞常聚集成团并形成纤维瘤样结构。结论前列腺基质细胞在移行带和外周带结构间存在差异。BPH组织中，成纤维细胞有向移行带迁移和重新聚集的现象，可能是触发BPH发生在移行带的重要病理基础之一。     

表皮生长因子在前列腺带性结构中的分布及意义

目的探讨表皮生长因子(EGF)在前列腺移行带和外周带组织中的分布特征。方法RTPCR法半定量分析17例正常前列腺移行带和外周带组织、20例良性前列腺增生(BPH)组织EGFmRNA表达水平,印迹杂交法(Westernblot)检测EGF蛋白表达。结果正常前列腺移行带和外周带EGFmRNA表达量分别为0.96±0.31、0.53±0.27,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。BPH组织EGFmRNA表达量为1.67±0.25,显著高于正常移行带组织,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。Westernblot方法证实移行带EGF蛋白表达高于外周带,而在BPH组织中表达更强。结论EGF在正常前列腺移行带和外周带组织中的表达存在差异,EGF对移行带生长有重要的促进作用,可能是BPH的发病基础之一。     

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.     

Diffuse adenosis of the peripheral zone in prostate needle biopsy and prostatectomy specimens

We have observed a group of typically younger patients with multiple foci of small, nonlobular, crowded, but relatively bland acini on needle biopsy and in prostatectomy specimens. It is unclear whether this architectural pattern, which we have termed diffuse adenosis of the peripheral zone (DAPZ), is simply a crowded glandular variant of normal prostate morphology or whether it represents a risk factor for the development of prostatic carcinoma. We studied 60 cases of DAPZ on needle biopsy in our consult practice from 2001 to 2007. Cases, on average, showed 72% of cores involved by DAPZ. Average patient age was 49 years (range: 34 to 73) and the average prostate specific antigen (PSA) level at the time of biopsy was 5.2 ng/mL (n=42). Forty-three (72%) men had available clinical follow-up with 35 (81%) patients undergoing rebiopsy and 8 (19%) followed with serial PSA measurements. Patients who were rebiopsied after DAPZ diagnosis had higher PSA levels than those who were followed by PSA levels alone (6.2 vs. 3.1 ng/mL, P=0.04). Of the rebiopsied cases, 20 (57%) were subsequently diagnosed with carcinoma, with an average of 15 months elapsed between initial biopsy and carcinoma diagnosis. Although the majority of tissue sampled in a typical DAPZ case had no cytologic atypia, in 65% of cases there were admixed rare foci of atypical glands with prominent nucleoli comprising <1% of submitted tissue. Patients with a subsequent diagnosis of carcinoma were more likely to have had DAPZ with focal atypia, although this did not reach statistical significance (70% vs. 36%, P=0.08). We histologically confirmed the carcinoma diagnosis in 18/20 cases. In 12/14 radical prostatectomies, we were able to review the slides. Eleven had Gleason score 3+3=6 adenocarcinoma in addition to background DAPZ; 9 showed peripheral zone organ-confined cancer, and 2 had focal extraprostatic extension. In one case of DAPZ misdiagnosed as cancer on biopsy, no carcinoma was found at prostatectomy. DAPZ is a newly described and diagnostically challenging mimicker of prostate cancer seen in prostate needle biopsies from typically younger patients. Our findings suggest that DAPZ should be considered a risk factor for prostate cancer and that patients with this finding should be followed closely and rebiopsied.     

Incremental value of transition zone and midline apical biopsy at baseline TRUS-guided biopsy for prostate cancer detection

Purpose

To determine the diagnostic yield of transition zone (TZB) and midline apical biopsies (MAB) in baseline transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsies and to establish whether TZB and MAB for the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) add clinical relevant information.

Methods

We performed baseline 9-core TRUS-guided biopsy in 412 consecutive subjects using sextant biopsies of the PZ (PZB), with an additional TZB on either side and a MAB at the prostatic apex. We determined the incremental diagnostic value of additional TZB an MAB to sextant PZB.

Results

Within a cohort of 412 patients with a median PSA of 7.5 ng/ml, 178 (43.2 %) patients were diagnosed with PCa upon baseline TRUS-guided biopsies. In 102 cases, at least one TZB was positive for PCa, with 6/412 (1.4 %) cases displaying PCa in the TZB only. MAB alone was positive for PCa in 4/412 (1.0 %) cases. One case (1/412; 0.2 %) had only a TZB and a MAB positive for PCa without positive PZB. Thus, 11/412 (2.7 %) of cases would not have been diagnosed with PCa at baseline TRUS-guided biopsy had only sextant PZ biopsy been performed. TZB detected a high-grade Gleason component (Gleason 4 and/or 5) not present in the PZB in 2.4 % of PCa cases.

Conclusions

There is limited value for TZB and MAB in the context of sextant PZB at baseline TRUS-guided biopsies for PCa.     

214例前列腺穿刺结果的前列腺癌病灶分布情况分析

目的探讨经直肠超声引导下经直肠前列腺穿刺活检结果的前列腺癌病灶分布情况。方法本组214例,其中214例前列腺特异抗原＞4．0ng/ml 203例,直肠指诊可疑前列腺癌41例；均行13针前列腺穿刺活检术。入选病例的年龄为50～90岁,平均69．8岁；PSA水平0．8～112．3ng/ml,平均18．7 ng/ml；前列腺体积12．3～182．5ml,平均61．3 ml；直肠指诊阴性者173例,阳性者41例。分析各穿刺部位的阳性率。结果5区13针法的阳性率为36．0%(77/214)。前列腺各穿刺部位的阳性率为：底部48/214(22．4%)、中部57/214(26．6%)、尖部57/214(26．6%)、外侧底部47/214(22．0%)、外侧中部61/214(28．5%)。各穿刺部位的阳性率的差异具有显著性(P＜0．001)。结论前列腺穿刺活检发现的前列腺癌病灶分布不均匀。前列腺的尖部、中部和外侧中部的穿刺阳性率较其它部位高。     

Distribution of prostate carcinoma foci within the peripheral zone: analysis of 8,062 prostate biopsy cores

The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of prostate cancer within the peripheral zone by prostate biopsies excluding the influence of the transition zone. A prospective, multicenter study was carried out using a consecutive series of men who underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies using different biopsy techniques at six institutions. Biopsies were directed strictly within the peripheral zone or strictly within the transition zone. A model of the peripheral zone with 18 sectors of similar volume was established and the biopsy cores obtained were associated with these sectors and analysed with respect to prostate cancer detection rate. A total of 904 men (mean age 66.8 years, range 42-86) with a median serum PSA of 8.1 ng/ml (2.2-940 ng/ml) entered the study. A total of 8,062 biopsy cores (mean 8.92/patient) were obtained. Each of the peripheral zone sectors tested by biopsies yielded a similar percentage of prostate cancer ( P=0.6). There was no increase in the incidence of cancer toward the lateral sectors compared to midline sectors ( P=0.53) of the peripheral zone. Biopsy sampling of the peripheral zone from the apex to the base yielded a similar percentage of prostate cancer ( P=0.47). Our data suggest that the distribution of cancer foci detected by biopsies in the peripheral zone of the prostate is homogeneous.     

Predictors of prostate cancer on repeat transrectal ultrasound-guided systematic prostate biopsy

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the outcome of repeated transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided systematic prostate biopsy in Japanese men whose clinical findings were suspected of prostate cancer after previous negative biopsies. METHODS: Between January 1993 and March 2002, 1045 patients underwent TRUS-guided prostate biopsy. Among them, 104 patients underwent repeat biopsy due to indications of persistent elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) or TRUS, increased PSA velocity, and/or previous suspicious biopsy findings. Several clinicopathological factors were evaluated for their ability to predict the detection of prostate cancer on repeat biopsy. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was detected in 22 of 104 patients (21.2%) who underwent repeat biopsies. PSA concentration and PSA density at both the initial and repeat biopsies, and PSA velocity in men with positive repeat biopsy were significantly greater than those in men with negative repeat biopsy. The incidence of abnormal findings in DRE and TRUS at initial biopsy in men with positive repeat biopsy was also significantly higher than that in men with negative repeat biopsy. However, neither the presence of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia nor number of biopsy cores at initial biopsy had a significant association with the results of the repeat biopsy. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that PSA and PSA density at both the initial and repeat biopsies, PSA velocity, and DRE and TRUS findings at initial biopsy were independent predictors of malignant disease on repeat biopsy. CONCLUSION: Despite an initial negative biopsy, repeat TRUS-guided biopsy should be carried out to exclude prostate cancer in cases of suspicious clinical findings, such as elevated PSA or PSA-related parameters, or abnormal findings of DRE or TRUS.     

Transrectal needle biopsy of prostate. Complications

An unusual complication of transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate, a disk-space infection requiring drainage by laminectomy, is presented.     

Periprostatic local anesthesia before transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy

PURPOSE: We prospectively assessed the safety and efficacy of periprostatic local anesthesia before transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 178 consecutive men undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy at our institution were enrolled in this study. From January to June 2001, 84 men underwent prostate biopsy without anesthesia (control group). From July to December 2001, 94 men received local anesthesia before prostate biopsies (anesthesia group). A 5-ml dose of 1% lidocaine was injected into the periprostatic nerve plexus on each side via a 22 gauge needle at 3 minutes before the procedure. Pain during and after biopsy was assessed using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). Complications were evaluated with a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The average pain score during biopsy was 3.18 in the anesthesia group versus 4.16 in the control group (p = 0.0067), while average pain score on the next day was 2.12 and 2.25, respectively (p = 0.7451). In the anesthesia group 13% of patients had a pain score > 5 versus 34% in the control group (p = 0.0043). The complication rate showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Periprostatic lidocaine injection is a safe and effective method of anesthesia for transrectal prostate biopsy.     

Importance of transition zone biopsies in patients undergoing ultrasound-guided prostate systemic biopsies for the first time

INTRODUCTION: We analyze the efficacy of routine transition zone biopsies in patients undergoing ultrasound-guided systemic prostate biopsies for the first time because of a suspicious digital rectal examination or an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During systemic prostate biopsy two or four additional transition zone biopsies were performed in 192 consecutive patients: in 182 because of a serum PSA concentration >4.1 ng/ml and in 10 because of a suspicious digital rectal examination and a serum PSA level <4.0 ng/ml. RESULTS: The overall prostate cancer detection rate was 37.5% (72/192). In 24 patients (33.3%), cancer was only detected in the peripheral zone, in 3 (4.2%) only in the transition zone, and in 45 (62.5%) in both zones. CONCLUSION: Transition zone biopsies performed at the first time of systemic prostate biopsy seem to have a low efficacy.     

Implication of two additional lateral peripheral zone biopsy in the detection of prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Despite the strenuous efforts in improving detection of prostate cancer, no standard technique for prostatic biopsy has been established to date. Extended tissue sampling in peripheral zone may possibly lead to enhanced prostate cancer detection. METHODS: Four hundred thirty-three candidates for ultrasound-guided prostatic biopsy were alternately assigned to two groups regarding biopsy techniques between January 1997 and June 1998, Group A, sextant biopsy group and Group B, two additional lateral peripheral zone sampling after standard sextant biopsy. The outcomes of prostatic biopsy were compared. RESULTS: Cancer detection rates were 19.2% (43/217) in Group A and 18.5% (40/216) in Group B. No statistically significant difference was noted (p > 0.05). Clinical stage, Gleason score and the presence of metastasis did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05). The incidence and duration of hematuria, hematospermia were essentially the same between groups (p > 0.05). High fever due to possible bacteremia developed only in Group B patients (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of additional peripheral zone biopsy is not recommended owing to the equivalent cancer detection rates between groups. The application of additional biopsy should be determined carefully since this may lead to increased incidence of serious complications.     

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.