Chronic inflammation is negatively associated with prostate cancer and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia on needle biopsy

Tissue inflammation has been linked to cancer in several disease models. We tested the association between chronic inflammation and prostate cancer (PCa), as well as high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), in prostatic needle biopsy specimens. Tissues from 4526 men, who underwent systematic ultrasound-guided sextant needle biopsies of the prostate, were classified in the following order as PCa, or HGPIN, or chronic inflammation or benign. PCa was diagnosed in 1633 (36.1%), HGPIN in 535 (11.8%) and chronic inflammation in 347 (7.7%). Chronic inflammation conferred a protective effect from PCa: odds ratio (OR) = 0.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.15-0.28. Chronic inflammation was also inversely associated with HGPIN: OR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.05-0.22. The ORs remained virtually unchanged after adjustment for age, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination (DRE) and gland volume. Chronic inflammation is more frequent in the presence of benign histology than it is in the presence of PCa or HGPIN.

Nuclear localization of NF-kappaB p65 in primary prostate tumors is predictive of pelvic lymph node metastases

10077

Background: Pelvic lymph node metastases are associated with a greater risk of prostate cancer recurrence and peripheral metastasis. Unfortunately, markers predictive of lymph node metastasis and/or recurrence after radical prostatectomy are limited and new molecular markers are needed to identify patients at higher risk of progression. NF-kB (p65) is a candidate molecular marker already associated with poor clinical outcomes such as biochemical recurrence and bone metastasis. We have also reported elevated nuclear p65 expression in prostate cancer lymph node metastasis. Pertinent to this issue, we tested whether the nuclear localization of p65 in radical prostatectomy specimens could predict the presence of lymph node metastases. Methods: Following informed consent, 51 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy were included in the study: 20 patients had lymph node metastasis at surgery and 31 patients had no evidence of lymph node metastasis and were used as the control group. All cases in the control group had no biochemical relapse 5 years following radical prostatectomy. NF-kB expression in prostate tumor sections was assessed by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal NF-kB p65 antibody. The relation between nuclear p65 expression in primary tumors and lymph node metastasis was tested in univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. Results: Primary tumors of metastatic patients had an average of 21.25% of tumor cells with nuclear p65 expression as opposed to 9.42% of tumor cells of control patients (p=0.001). Univariate Cox regression demonstrated a 7.5% increased risk of having lymph node metastases for each percent increase in p65 nuclear staining (p=0.003). In the multivariate model, after controlling for pre-operative PSA (p=0.175), Gleason patterns (p=0.382), pathological stage (p=0.436), extracapsular extension (p=0.243) and seminal vesicle invasion (p=0.016), nuclear p65 was associated with an 8.8% increased risk for lymph node metastases (p=0.024). Conclusion: In univariate and multivariate analyses, p65 nuclear expression was strongly predictive of lymph node invasion. We propose that nuclear NF-kB (p65) may serve as a useful independent molecular marker for stratifying patients at risk for lymph node metastases.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Recto-cavernosal fistula after radiation for rectal cancer

Rectourethral fistula is a rare, but documented complication of rectal cancer. To our knowledge this is the first report of a recto- cavernosal fistula after chemo-radiotherapy for cancer of the rectum.

French-Canadian linguistic validation of the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index

INTRODUCTION

The NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI) is recommended in the clinical evaluation of men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). However, its use is not possible in French speakers, as it has not been validated in this population. We performed a linguistic validation of the CPSI.

METHODS

Linguistic translation followed the forward-backward-forward technique and relied on professional medical translators, bilingual health professionals, and patient input. Along with the SF-12, the translated version was administered to a convenience sample of men presenting for pre-vasectomy visits (controls) and to consecutive patients with established CP/CPPS (cases). Men with CP/CPPS were subsequently asked to complete a 14-day retest questionnaire. Psychometric testing addressed standard reliability and validity characteristics.

RESULTS

Thirty-six cases and 38 controls with respective mean ages of 46.5 and 44.0 years participated and 33 (91.2%) cases completed the retest questionnaire. Pain (p<0.001), urinary (p<0.001) and quality-of-life (QOL) scale (p<0.001) score means differed between cases and controls. For the same scales, Cronbach's alphas for cases were respectively 0.70, 0.72 and 0.79 versus 0.80, 0.57, and 0.88 for controls. The retest product-moments were 0.83 for pain, 0.55 for urinary, and 0.83 for QOL scales. In cases, strong correlation was noted between QOL and pain scales (r=0.7), and between urinary and pain scales (r=0.6), versus moderate correlation between QOL and urinary scales (r=0.4). Negative correlation was recorded between CPSI scales and SF-12 scales, which ranged from -0.2 to -0.4.

CONCLUSIONS

When applied to CPPS and control subjects, the French Canadian CPSI translation demonstrates excellent discriminant properties. Moreover, its reliability and validity characteristics confirm the qualities of the CPSI as a standard evaluative tool for men with CPPS.

Transition zone cancers undermine the predictive accuracy of Partin table stage predictions

PURPOSE

The Partin tables represent the most widely used predictor of pathological stage in men with localized prostate cancer (PCa). The accuracy and performance of the tables have been tested across different populations. However, to our knowledge the potential limitations that may stem from differences between transition zone (TZ) and peripheral zone (PZ) prostate cancers has not been explored. We tested the predictive accuracy and performance of the Partin tables according to TZ vs PZ tumor predominance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Preoperative serum prostate specific antigen, clinical stage and biopsy Gleason sum data on 1,990 patients treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy were used to define the 2001 Partin probabilities of organ confinement and seminal vesicle invasion (SVI). Data on 1,320 patients who underwent staging pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy were used to define the probabilities of lymph node invasion (LNI) and organ confined disease (OC). ROC area under the curve was used to assess the predictive accuracy of the 2001 Partin tables relative to observed extracapsular extension (ECE), SVI, LNI and OC. Performance characteristics for each prediction were explored graphically with local regression, nonparametric smoothing plots. Results were compared between 222 TZ cancers and 1,768 PZ cancers.

RESULTS

The 1,990 radical retropubic prostatectomy specimens demonstrated ECE in 689 cases (34.6%) (TZ in 58 or 27.1% and PZ in 631 or 35.8%) and SVI in 224 (TZ in 13 or 6.1% and PZ in 211 or 11.9%). The 1,320 lymphadenectomy specimens demonstrated LNI in 56 cases (TZ in 2 or 0.9% and PZ in 54 or 4.6%). OC was found in 784 cases (59.4%) (TZ in 95 or 69.9% and PZ in 689 or 58.2%). Predictive accuracy was for ECE 76.4% (TZ 69.0% and PZ 77.2%), 78.0% for SVI (TZ 73.5% and PZ 78.3%), 78.6% for LNI (TZ 44.5% and PZ 79.9%) and 79.4% for OC (TZ 73.8% and PZ 80.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

The biological tumor characteristics of TZ PCa differ from those of PZ PCa. These differences appear to undermine the accuracy of pathological stage predictions.

[Can nomograms derived in the U.S. applied to German patients? A study about the validation of preoperative nomograms predicting the risk of recurrence after radical prostatectomy]

In patients suffering from prostate cancer, preoperative nomograms, which predict the risk of recurrence may provide a helpful tool in regard to the counselling and planning of an appropriate therapy. The best known nomograms were published by the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston and the Harvard Medical School, Boston. We investigated these nomograms derived in the U.S. when applied to German patients. Data from 1003 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy at the University-Hospital Hamburg were used for validation. Nomogram predictions of the probability for 2-years (Harvard nomogram) and 5-years (Kattan nomogram) freedom from PSA recurrence were compared with actual follow-up recurrence data using areas under the receiver-operating-characteristic curves (AUC). The recurrence free survival after 2 and 5 years was 78% and 58%, respectively. The AUC of the Harvard nomogram predicting 2-years probability of freedom from PSA recurrence was 0.80 vs. Kattan-Nomogram 5-years prediction of 0.83. Thereby, the Kattan nomogram showed a significant higher predictive accuracy (p=0.0274). For that reason preoperative nomograms derived in the U.S. can be applied to german patients. However, we would recommend the utilization of the Kattan nomogram due to its higher predictive accuracy.

Comparative evaluation of total PSA, free/total PSA, and complexed PSA in prostate cancer detection

OBJECTIVES

To compare the performance of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), the free/total PSA (F/T PSA) ratio, and complexed PSA (cPSA) in prostate cancer detection.

METHODS

Five hundred thirty-five patients evaluated at the UROMED prostate cancer detection clinic had total PSA, free PSA, and cPSA measured before undergoing transrectal ultrasonography and sextant prostate biopsies. A direct comparison was performed between the different PSA assays to evaluate their ability to detect prostate cancer.

RESULTS

Of the 535 patients evaluated, 38.1% had prostate cancer detected. The mean age of the entire population was 63.6 years (range 35 to 86). Abnormal digital rectal examination findings were present in 33.4% of the patients. The mean and median values of PSA and cPSA were significantly higher and the F/T PSA ratio was lower in patients with prostate cancer. The F/T PSA ratio performed better than either cPSA or total PSA. A higher specificity was observed with the F/T PSA ratio than with cPSA using either the entire patient population or subsets of patients with PSA levels between 4.0 and 10 ng/mL or 4.0 to 6.0 ng/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the F/T PSA ratio offers improved prostate cancer detection compared with either cPSA or total PSA.

Thirty-day mortality rates and cumulative survival after radical retropubic prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES

To assess the 30-day mortality rate and overall survival after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).

METHODS

Identification of all RRPs performed in the Province of Quebec between January 5, 1988 and January 16, 1996 was accomplished through the Quebec Healthcare Plan Database.

RESULTS

Four thousand nine hundred ninety-seven RRPs were performed by 104 urologists. Overall, 451 deaths were recorded: 32 occurred during the first 30 days (0.6% 30-day mortality rate). A significant decrease in the 30-day mortality rate, from 2.45% to 0.5%, was recorded during the span of the study. The year of surgery, patient age, and hospital type were statistically significant short-term mortality variables (life table analysis). Patient age and year of surgery determined the cumulative survival probability (univariate and multivariate Cox analysis). Cumulative survival at 31 months of follow-up increased from 88.2% in 1988 to 98.1% in 1995. Men 75 years old and older were at a clear disadvantage with regard to survival probability compared with their younger counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based analysis of RRP outcomes, we demonstrated a significant improvement in short- and long-term outcomes, as evidenced by a decrease in the 30-day mortality rate and an improved cumulative survival, recorded over the span of the study. The recorded outcome trends may be explained by improved patient selection and optimal management. Although we are unable to determine cancer-specific outcomes, the results of this analysis should prove valuable to urologists and patients until there are results from randomized trials.

Population-based patterns of radical retropubic prostatectomy use

OBJECTIVES

To examine the use of radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) in a large population-based study.

METHODS

Identification of all RRPs performed in the province of Quebec between the years 1988 and 1993 was accomplished by relying on the Quebec Healthcare Plan Database.

RESULTS

Overall, 2861 RRPs have been performed during the study period. On average, 80% of surgeries have been performed by urologists using this surgery 12 times or less annually. Of all surgeries, 420 (15%) RRPs have been performed in individuals 71 years of age or older.

CONCLUSIONS

Each year, most RRPs (80%) in this population-based study were performed by urologists performing this procedure 12 times or less annually. A substantial proportion (15%) of RRPs have been performed in men 71 years of age or older, in whom the detriments of radical surgery may outweigh its benefits. These findings could potentially contribute to suboptimal outcomes when radical prostatectomy is compared with alternative treatment modalities.

Three-dimensional computer-assisted analysis of sector biopsy of the prostate

OBJECTIVES

To assess the relationship between tumor volume, gland volume, number of sectors submitted to biopsy, and prostatic biopsy detection rate.

METHODS

Using a three-dimensional mathematical model of the prostate, we assessed detection rates achieved with 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-sector biopsies for glands ranging from 20 to 100 cc and peripheral zone tumors ranging from 0.3 to 1.4 cc.

RESULTS

Quadrant and sextant biopsy approaches only yielded from 6.2% to 13.4% and 8.6% to 18.3%, respectively, of lesions in a 40-cc gland. Conversely, 10- and 12-sector approaches yielded, respectively, from 19.8% to 48.8% and 25.4% to 62% of lesions for the same gland size. When assessed according to the density of sampling, one biopsy core used for every 1 .5 to 3.5 cc of prostatic tissue detected 42.5% of 0.5-cc lesions. For the same lesion size, the density of sampling per biopsy core was then decreased to intervals extending from 3.6 to 7.5 cc, 7.6 to 12.5 cc, and 12.6 to 25 cc. These sampling density intervals yielded, respectively, 25.0%, 15.8%, and 9.8% detection rates.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of our results, a gland volume-based biopsy algorithm is likely to result in improved detection of clinically significant prostate cancer.

Patient attitudes regarding treatment-related erectile dysfunction at time of early detection of prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

To assess potency rate and patient attitudes regarding erectile dysfunction.

METHODS

A multiple choice, self-administered questionnaire distributed to 750 men undergoing testing for early detection of prostate cancer was used.

RESULTS

Overall, 33.9% of patients reported either partial or complete lack of erections and 31.1% were not sexually active or active less than once per month. Furthermore, 55.4% would be affected or very affected by lack of erections and 73.6% chose definitive treatment despite a 50% chance of erectile dysfunction. Finally, 47.4% found such treatment-induced erectile dysfunction to be an important or very important problem. When asked to ascribe a quantity of life or period of time that they would be willing to sacrifice to preserve sexual function following treatment, only 15.2% of patients were able to do so, but no consensus could be reached regarding its value.

CONCLUSIONS

Reported differences in quality-adjusted life expectancy when screening was compared to no screening and definitive therapy was compared to expectant management are marginal. Therefore, close attention to seemingly minor variables such as existing impotence rate, attitude regarding erectile dysfunction, and willingness to undergo therapy despite its inherent morbidity may substantially reduce or even reverse this reported disadvantage.

Morphologic changes induced by neoadjuvant androgen ablation may result in underdetection of positive surgical margins and capsular involvement by prostatic adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Neoadjuvant androgen ablation (NAAA) causes significant cytoarchitectural changes in both benign and malignant prostatic epithelial cells that may contribute to underdetection of prostate cancer capsular involvement and positive surgical margins.

METHODS

The aim of this study is to determine the ability of cytokeratin immunohistochemistry to enhance the determination of pathologic stage of prostate cancer following NAAA.

RESULTS

Cytokeratin AE1/AE3 immunohistochemistry identified 6 (27.3%), 15 (68.2%), 5 (22.7%), and 5 (22.7%) cases of organ-confined disease, capsule penetration, positive surgical margin, and seminal vesicle involvement, respectively, as compared with 10 (45.5%), 10 (45.5%), 3 (13.6%), and 5 (22.7%) cases by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, respectively. Two cases without detectable tumor by H&E staining had demonstrable residual tumor by cytokeratin immunohistochemical staining.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytokeratin immunohistochemistry revealed more extensive intracapsular, capsular, and extracapsular tumor involvement and higher rate of positive surgical margin than did conventional H&E staining. Therefore, the beneficial pathologic effects of NAAA observed may, in part, be attributable to the artifact of observation.

Outcome of sextant biopsy according to gland volume

OBJECTIVES

To reassess positive rate of sextant biopsy according to gland size.

METHODS

We evaluated 1974 consecutive men with systematic sextant biopsy, among whom we examined biopsy yield according to gland-volume intervals of 10 cc.

RESULTS

Decreasing yield of sextant biopsy is strongly associated with increasing gland volume (P < 0.001). Highest biopsy rate (39.6%) was recorded among men with prostates smaller than 20 cc. The lowest biopsy rate (10.1%) was recorded among men with prostates between 80 and 89.9 cc. Among men with biopsy-proven cancer, age, serum prostate-specific antigen, and Gleason grade were comparable (P > 0.05) throughout the range of gland-volume intervals.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that gland size represents an important determinant contributing to the yield of sextant biopsy in men at risk of harboring a nonpalpable, isoechoic cancer. Consequently, an individualized sector biopsy approach, based on prostate volume, may warrant consideration because it may ensure superior detection of clinically significant disease among all men at risk, regardless of prostate size.

Computer-assisted comparative analysis of four-sector and six-sector biopsies of the prostate

OBJECTIVES

To assess the potential difference in positive biopsy rates between four-sector and six-sector biopsy methods.

METHODS

This computer-assisted analysis is based on the records of 156 consecutive patients previously diagnosed with T1c cancer on systematic sextant biopsy of the peripheral zone. For each patient the computer randomly deleted one biopsy result from the left and right prostatic lobes. The deletion process was repeated 1000 times. Based on four randomly chosen biopsy cores, we determined the number of undetected cancers initially diagnosed with sextant biopsy.

RESULTS

Based on four-sector biopsy cores of the peripheral zone, between 6 and 30 (3.8% to 19.2% of cases) nonpalpable, isoechoic prostate cancers that were detected with sextant biopsy would have remained undiagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the number of biopsy cores used in the early detection of nonpalpable, isoechoic prostate cancer may substantially affect the rate of positive findings.

Reassessment of nonplanimetric transrectal ultrasound prostate volume estimates

OBJECTIVES

To assess the accuracy and reproducibility of nonplanimetric transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) volume estimates because inaccurate volume estimates may potentially undermine the value of serum prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) in early prostate cancer detection.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated 535 consecutive male patients with two consecutive volume determinations performed by the same ultrasonographer at the time of the same visit.

RESULTS

Pearson correlation coefficients between two consecutive gland volume estimates ranged from 0.82 to 0.85 depending on the formula used; however, these correlation coefficients corresponded to an average 25% difference between the first and second gland volume estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

Although two consecutive nonplanimetric TRUS volume estimates show statistically good correlation, clinically up to a 25% volume difference should be expected between two such volume estimates. In consequence, nonplanimetric TRUS volume estimates should be interpreted with caution, especially when used for PSAD calculation, in the early detection of prostate cancer.

Value of systematic transition zone biopsies in the early detection of prostate cancer

PURPOSE

A prospective study was done to determine the value of performing 2 systematic transition zone biopsies in addition to systematic sextant peripheral zone biopsies for early detection of prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1 to August 31, 1994 we evaluated 847 consecutive patients referred to us for a suspicious lesion on digital rectal examination or an elevated serum prostate specific antigen level. All patients underwent 2 systematic transition zone biopsies in addition to systematic sextant biopsies of the peripheral zone.

RESULTS

Of the transition zone biopsies 68 (24.4%) contained malignancy, including only 8 (2.9%) with cancer found exclusively in the transition zone. The remaining 271 cases (97.1%) had 1 or more positive peripheral zone biopsies and would have been detected with or without additional systematic transition zone biopsies. The same analysis of 552 patients with a negative digital rectal examination yielded 6 (4.1%) exclusively transition zone tumors among 145 cancers detected in this group.

CONCLUSIONS

The low additional yield of transition zone biopsies (2.9 to 4.1%) does not warrant their systematic use for the early detection of prostate cancer.