Clinical predictors of gleason score upgrading

Cognitive fusion-targeted biopsy versus transrectal ultrasonography-guided systematic biopsy: comparison and analysis of the risk of Gleason score upgrading

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to assess the precision of the Gleason score (GS) obtained through cognitive fusion-targeted biopsy (COG-TB) in comparison to transrectal ultrasonography-guided systematic biopsy (TRUS-SB), and to identify factors that can predict Gleason score upgrading (GSU) in a cohort of Chinese patients.

METHODS

A final enrollment of 245 patients was recorded. Between 2020 and 2022, 132 patients underwent TRUS-SB, and 113 patients underwent COG-TB. The Chi-square test was performed to analyze the variation in downgrading, concordance, and upgrading between TRUS-SB and COG-TB. Multivariable analyses were performed to seek factors predicting Gleason score upgrading. Finally, a model which utilizes multivariable logistic regression was developed to predict the likelihood of GSU.

RESULTS

The concordance for TRUS-SB and COG-TB were 42.4% and 65.5%, respectively. TRUS-SB and COG-TB exhibited notable disparities in downgrading, concordance, and upgrading. Age, prostate volume, body mass index (BMI), and the biopsy modality were significant predictive factors.

CONCLUSION

COG-TB can significantly increase concordance with final histopathology. Age, prostate volume, BMI, and the biopsy modality were predictive factors of GSU.

Economic value of knowing BRCA status: BRCA testing for prostate cancer prevention and optimal treatment

BACKGROUND

We aimed to estimate the incremental lifetime effects, costs, and net-monetary-benefit (NMB) of knowing BRCA information by testing of patients with low-risk localized prostate cancer (PCa) in the US and guiding subsequent screening and treatment, and the cumulative savings or losses of yearly cohort testing over 16 years. We compared two strategies: (1)'with BRCA information' and (2)'without BRCA information.' We also estimated the expected value of perfect information.

METHODS

The incremental NMB (INMB) quantified the monetized benefit per person of knowing BRCA status. The net-monetized-value of knowing BRCA information was estimated by multiplying the INMB with the eligible population.

RESULTS

The INMBs of knowing BRCA information were $43,357 (payer) and $43,487 (society). in payer and societal perspectives, respectively. Escalated to the eligible patients in 2020, knowing BRCA status resulted in net monetized lifetime value of $1.7 billion (payer and society) for the 2020 cohort; and yielded accumulated net-monetized-value of $28.0 billion (payer) and $28.1 billion (society) over 16 yearly cohorts of eligible PCa patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The economic value of knowing BRCA status for all low-risk localized PCa patients in the US provides short-term and long-term evidence for BRCA testing to screen early and optimize treatment.

Age and gleason score upgrading between prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy: Is this still true in the multiparametric resonance imaging era?

INTRODUCTION

Several studies have invariably shown that the risk of Grade Group (GG) upgrading between biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) is higher in elderly men. Whether this is due to a real biological effect or to a diagnostic bias is still unknown. We hypothesized that the introduction of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has improved the diagnostic accuracy of PCa detection in older men thus reducing the risk of GG upgrading at RP reported in the pre-MRI era.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We selected 424 men who received a systematic plus targeted biopsy for a positive MRI and subsequent RP at two referral centers between 2013 and 2019. Upgrading was defined as an increase in GG at final pathology as compared to biopsy. Multivariable logistic regressions tested the risk of upgrading over increasing age according to any upgrading definition and after stratifying definitions according to GG group and biopsy type. Non-parametric functions explored the relationship between age and upgrading rate.

RESULTS

Median rate of upgrading was 17%. In multivariable models, while age was not associated with increased risk of GG upgrading (p=0.4). At non-parametric analyses, probability of upgrading slightly decreased with age, without reaching statistical significance. In subgroup analyses according to different upgrading definition and to biopsy type, age did not predict higher risk of upgrading regardless of outcome definitions (GG 1 to 2 P = 0.1; GG 2 to 3 P = 0.2; GG 3 to 4-5 P = 0.2) and in GG detected at TBx (OR 0.998, P = 0.8).

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that use of MRI has obliterated the association between older age and increased risk of upgrading mainly due to improved diagnostic approaches in this group of men. Therefore, it is likely that the effect of age and GG upgrading reported in previous studies in elderly men was due to misdiagnosis and lead-time bias in the pre-MRI era.

Predicting Gleason sum upgrading from biopsy to radical prostatectomy pathology: a new nomogram and its internal validation

Background

To explore the rate of Gleason sum upgrading (GSU) from biopsy to radical prostatectomy pathology and to develop a nomogram for predicting the probability of GSU in a Chinese cohort.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively maintained prostate cancer (PCa) database from October 2012 to April 2020. 198 patients who met the criteria were enrolled. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors. Nomogram was constructed based on independent predictors. The receiver operating curve was undertaken to estimate the discrimination. Calibration curve was used to assess the concordance between predictive probabilities and true risks.

Results

The rate of GSU was 41.4%, whilst GS concordance rate was 44.4%. The independent predictors are prostate specific antigen (PSA), greatest percentage of cancer (GPC), clinical T-stage and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score. Our model showed good discrimination (AUC of 0.735). Our model was validated internally with good calibration with bias-corrected C-index of 0.726.

Conclusions

Utilization of basic clinical variables (PSA and T-stage) combined with imaging variable (PI-RADS) and pathological variable (GPC) could improve performance in predicting actual probabilities of GSU in the 24-core biopsy scheme. Our nomogram could help to assess the true risk and make optimal treatment decisions for PCa patients.

Low-risk prostate cancer in India: Is active surveillance a valid treatment option?

Introduction and Objective:

Carcinoma prostate is considered highly aggressive in Asian countries such as India. This raises an argument whether active surveillance (AS) gives a false sense of security as opposed to upfront radical prostatectomy (RP) in Indian males with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa). We analyzed our prospectively maintained robot-assisted RP (RARP) database to address this question.

Materials and Methods:

Five hundred and sixty-seven men underwent RARP by a single surgical team from September 2013 to September 2019. Of these, 46 (8.1%) were low risk considering the National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria. Gleason grade group and stage were compared before and after surgery to ascertain the incidence of upgrading and upstaging. Preoperative clinical and pathological characteristics were analyzed for association with the probability of upstaging and upgrading.

Results:

The mean age was 60.8 ± 6.8 years. Average prostate-specific antigen level was 6.7 ± 2.0 ng/mL. 40 (86.9%) patients had a T1 stage disease and 6 (13%) patients were clinically in T2a stage. A total of 25 (54.3%) cases were either upstaged or upgraded, 19 (41.3%) showed no change, and the remaining 2 (4.3%) had no malignancy on the final RP specimen. Upstaging occurred in 8 (17.4%) cases: 5 (10.9%) to pT3a and 3 (6.5%) to pT3b. Upgrading occurred in 23 (50%) cases: 19 (41.3%) to Grade 2; 3 (6.5%) to Grade 3; and 1 (2.2%) to Grade 4.

Conclusions:

There is a 50% likelihood of upstaging or upgrading in Indian males with low-risk PCa eligible for AS. Decision to proceed with AS should be taken carefully.

Prediction of prostate cancer Gleason score upgrading from biopsy to radical prostatectomy using pre-biopsy multiparametric MRI PIRADS scoring system

An increase or ‘upgrade’ in Gleason Score (GS) in prostate cancer following Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsies remains a significant challenge to overcome. to evaluate whether MRI has the potential to narrow the discrepancy of histopathological grades between biopsy and radical prostatectomy, three hundred and thirty men treated consecutively by laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) between July 2014 and January 2019 with localized prostate cancer were included in this study. Independent radiologists and pathologists assessed the MRI and histopathology of the biopsies and prostatectomy specimens respectively. A multivariate model was constructed using logistic regression analysis to assess the ability of MRI to predict upgrading in biopsy GS in a nomogram. A decision-analysis curve was constructed assessing impact of nomogram using different thresholds for probabilities of upgrading. PIRADS scores were obtained from MRI scans in all the included cases. In a multivariate analysis, the PIRADS v2.0 score significantly improved prediction ability of MRI scans for upgrading of biopsy GS (p = 0.001, 95% CI [0.06–0.034]), which improved the C-index of predictive nomogram significantly (0.90 vs. 0.64, p < 0.05). PIRADS v2.0 score was an independent predictor of postoperative GS upgrading and this should be taken into consideration while offering treatment options to men with localized prostate cancer.

Long-term use of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors is safe and effective in men on active surveillance for prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Although 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) have been shown to benefit men with prostate cancer (PCa) on active surveillance (AS), their long-term safety remains controversial. Our objective is to describe the long-term association of 5ARI use with PCa progression in men on AS.

MATERIALS/SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The cohort of men with low-risk PCa was derived from a prospectively maintained AS database at the Princess Margaret (1995-2016). Pathologic, grade, and volume progression were the primary end points. Kaplan-Meier time-to-event analysis was performed and Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine predictors of progression where 5ARI exposure was analyzed as a time-dependent variable. Patients who came off AS prior to any progression events were censored at that time.

RESULTS

The cohort included 288 men with median follow-up of 82 months (interquartile range: 37-120 months). Among non-5ARI users (n = 203); 114 men (56.2%) experienced pathologic progression compared with 24 men (28.2%) in the 5ARI group (n = 85), (p < 0.001). Grade and volume progression were higher in the non-5ARI group compared with the 5ARI group (n = 82; 40.4% vs. n = 19; 22.4% respectively, p = 0.003 for grade progression; n = 87; 43.1% and n = 15; 17.7%, respectively for volume progression p < 0.001). Lack of 5ARI use was independently positively associated with pathologic progression (HR: 2.65; CI: 1.65-4.24), grade progression (HR: 2.75; CI: 1.49-5.06), and volume progression (HR: 3.15; CI: 1.78-5.56). The frequency of progression to high-grade (Grade Group 4-5) tumors was not significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of 5ARIs diminished both grade and volume progression without an increased risk of developing Grade Groups 4-5 disease.

Advancing Age and the Odds of Upgrading and Upstaging at Radical Prostatectomy in Men with Gleason Score 6 Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE

To identify a subset of men with Gleason score (GS) 6 prostate cancer who are at high risk for upgrading/upstaging who should be recommended for multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1992 and 2017, a total of 3571 men with GS6 prostate cancer were consecutively treated at a single institution with radical prostatectomy. Logistic regression multivariable analyses to determine the odds of upgrading and upstaging were performed, adjusting for age and year of diagnosis, clinical T category, prostate-specific antigen level, number of biopsy cores, and percentage of positive biopsy cores.

RESULTS

Of 3571 men, the disease of 115 (3.22%), 245 (6.86%), and 254 (7.11%) was upgraded, was upstaged, or had positive surgical margins (R1), respectively. Older age at diagnosis was associated with an increased risk of upgrading disease to GS7 or higher, prostatectomy T3/T4, and R1 with adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.05 (1.01-1.08; P = .005), 1.02 (1.00-1.05; P = .048), and 1.02 (1.002-1.05; P = .03), respectively. Older age was associated with an increasing proportion of men with disease upgraded to GS7 or higher (T1c: P = .002; T2 or higher: P = .04) or upstaged to pT3/4 or pT2R1 (T1c: P = .02; T2 or higher: P = .02) among men with ≥ 33% but not < 33% positive biopsy cores.

CONCLUSION

Before initiating active surveillance, performing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in otherwise healthy older men with GS6 prostate cancer and ≥ 33% positive biopsy cores should be considered.

Prostate cancer upgrading or downgrading of biopsy Gleason scores at radical prostatectomy: prediction of "regression to the mean" using routine clinical features with correlating biochemical relapse rates

Recommendations for managing clinically localized prostate cancer are structured around clinical risk criteria, with prostate biopsy (PB) Gleason score (GS) being the most important factor. Biopsy to radical prostatectomy (RP) specimen upgrading/downgrading is well described, and is often the rationale for costly imaging or genomic studies. We present simple, no-cost analyses of clinical parameters to predict which GS 6 and GS 8 patients will change to GS 7 at prostatectomy. From May 2006 to December 2012, 1590 patients underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). After exclusions, we identified a GS 6 cohort of 374 patients and a GS 8 cohort of 91 patients. During this era, >1000 additional patients were enrolled in an active surveillance (AS) program. For GS 6, 265 (70.9%) of 374 patients were upgraded, and the cohort included 183 (48.9%) patients eligible for AS by the Prostate Cancer Research International Active Surveillance Study (PRIAS) standards, of which 57.9% were upgraded. PB features that predicted a >90% chance of upgrading included ≥ 7 cores positive, maximum foci length ≥ 8 mm in any core, and total tumor involvement ≥ 30%. For GS 8, downgrading occurred in 46 (50.5%), which was significantly higher for single core versus multiple cores (80.4% vs 19.6%, P = 0.011). Biochemical recurrence (BCR) occurred in 3.4% of GS 6 upgraded versus 0% nonupgraded, and in GS 8, 19.6% downgraded versus 42.2% nondowngraded. In counseling men with clinically localized prostate cancer, the odds of GS change should be presented, and certain men with high-volume GS 6 or low-volume GS 8 can be counseled with GS 7-based recommendations.

Prostate-specific antigen levels and proportion of biopsy positive cores are independent predictors of upgrading patterns in low-risk prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical factors associated with the risk of tumor upgrading patterns in low risk prostate cancer (PCA) patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

In a period running from January 2013 to December 2016, 245 low risk patients underwent RP. Patients were classified into three groups, which included case with pathology grade group one (no upgrading pattern), two-three (intermediate upgrading pattern), and four-five (high upgrading pattern). The association of factors with the upgrading risk was evaluated by the multinomial logistic regression model. It was used a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) analysis to assess the efficacy of predictors.

RESULTS

Overall, tumor upgrading was detected in 158 patients (67.3%). Tumor upgrading patterns were absent in 80 patients (32.7%), intermediate in 152 cases (62%) and high in 13 subjects (5.3%). Median prostate specific (PSA) levels and proportion of biopsy positive core (BPC) were higher in patients with intermediate (PSA=6 ng/mL; BPC=0.28) and high (PSA=8.9 ng/mL; BPC=0.33) than those without (PSA=5.7 ng/mL; BPC=0.17) and the difference was significant (PSA: P=0.002; BPC: P=0.001). When compared to not upgraded cases, higher BPC proportions were independent predictors of intermediate upgrading patterns (odds ratio, OR=36.711; P<0.0001; AUC=0.613) while higher PSA values were independent predictors of high upgrading patterns (OR=2.033, P<0.0001; AUC=0.779).

CONCLUSIONS

PSA and BPC were both independent predictors of tumor upgrading in low risk PCA. BPC associated with the risk of intermediate tumor upgrading patterns, but showed a low discrimination power. PSA associated with high upgrading patterns and showed a fair discrimination power in the model. Tumor upgrading risk patterns should be evaluated in low risk PCA patients before treatment.

Prostate Cancers Detected by Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Targeted Biopsies Have a Higher Percentage of Gleason Pattern 4 Component and Are Less Likely to Be Upgraded in Radical Prostatectomies

Context.—

In Gleason score (GS) 7 prostate cancers, the quantity of Gleason pattern 4 (GP 4) is an important prognostic factor and influences treatment decisions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–targeted biopsy has been increasingly used in clinical practice.

Objective.—

To investigate whether MRI-targeted biopsy may detect GS 7 prostate cancer with greater GP 4 quantity, and whether it improves biopsy/radical prostatectomy GS concordance.

Design.—

A total of 243 patients with paired standard and MRI-targeted biopsies with cancer in either standard or targeted or both were studied, 65 of whom had subsequent radical prostatectomy. The biopsy findings, including GS and tumor volume, were correlated with the radical prostatectomy findings.

Results.—

More prostate cancers detected by MRI-targeted biopsy were GS 7 or higher. Mean GP 4 percentage in GS 7 cancers was 31.0% ± 29.3% by MRI-targeted biopsy versus 25.1% ± 29.5% by standard biopsy. A total of 122 of 218 (56.0%) and 96 of 217 (44.2%) prostate cancers diagnosed on targeted biopsy and standard biopsy, respectively, had a GP 4 of 10% or greater (P = .01). Gleason upgrading was seen in 12 of 59 cases (20.3%) from MRI-targeted biopsy and in 24 of 57 cases (42.1%) from standard biopsy (P = .01). Gleason upgrading correlated with the biopsy cancer volume inversely and GP 4 of 30% or less in standard biopsy. Such correlation was not found in MRI-targeted biopsy.

Conclusions.—

Magnetic resonance imaging–targeted biopsy may detect more aggressive prostate cancers and reduce the risk of Gleason upgrading in radical prostatectomy. This study supports a potential role for MRI-targeted biopsy in the workup of prostate cancer and inclusion of percentage of GP 4 in prostate biopsy reports.

Clinical factors stratifying the risk of tumor upgrading to high-grade disease in low-risk prostate cancer

PURPOSE

To identify clinical factors stratifying the risk of tumor upgrading to increasing patterns of the tumor grading system in low-risk prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

We evaluated the records of 438 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. Associations between clinical factors and tumor upgrading were assessed by the univariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Low-risk PCa included 170 cases (38.8%) and tumor upgrading was detected in 111 patients (65.3%): 72 (42.4%) had pathology Gleason pattern (pGP) 3 + 4, 27 (15.9%) pGP 4 + 3, and 12 (7.1%) pGP 4 + 4. Prostate- specific antigen (PSA) and proportion of positive cores (P+) were independent predictors of upgrading to high-risk disease. These factors also stratified the risk of tumor upgrading to the increasing patterns of the tumor grading system. The model allowed the identification of pGP 4 + 4. The main difference between high-risk PCa and other upgraded tumors related to PSA load (odds ratio 2.4) that associated with high volume disease in the specimen.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-risk PCa is a heterogeneous population with significant rates of tumor upgrading. Significant clinical predictors stratifying the risk of tumor upgrading to increasing patterns of the grading system included PSA and P+. These factors allowed the identification of the subset hiding high-grade disease requiring further investigations before delivering active treatments.

Clinical and pathologic factors predicting reclassification in active surveillance cohorts

The incidence of small, lower risk well-differentiated prostate cancer is increasing and almost half of the patients with this diagnosis are candidates for initial conservative management in an attempt to avoid overtreatment and morbidity associated with surgery or radiation. A proportion of patients labeled as low risk, candidates for Active Surveillance (AS), harbor aggressive disease and would benefit from definitive treatment. The focus of this review is to identify clinicopathologic features that may help identify these less optimal AS candidates. A systematic Medline/PubMed Review was performed in January 2017 according to PRISMA guidelines; 83 articles were selected for full text review according to their relevance and after applying limits described. For patients meeting AS criteria including Gleason Score 6, several factors can assist in predicting those patients that are at higher risk for reclassification including higher PSA density, bilateral cancer, African American race, small prostate volume and low testosterone. Nomograms combining these features improve risk stratification. Clinical and pathologic features provide a significant amount of information for risk stratification (>70%) for patients considering active surveillance. Higher risk patient subgroups can benefit from further evaluation or consideration of treatment. Recommendations will continue to evolve as data from longer term AS cohorts matures.

Comparative rates of upstaging and upgrading in Caucasian and Korean prostate cancer patients eligible for active surveillance

Purpose

To investigate the impact of race on the risk of pathological upgrading and upstaging at radical prostatectomy (RP) in an Asian (Korean) and Western (Caucasian) cohort eligible for active surveillance (AS).

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 854 patients eligible for AS who underwent RP in United States (n = 261) and Korea (n = 593) between 2006 and 2015. After adjusting for age, PSA level, and prostate volume, we utilized multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess the effect of race on upgrading or upstaging.

Results

There were significant differences between Caucasian and Korean patients in terms of age at surgery (60.2 yr. vs. 64.1 yr.), PSA density (0.115 ng/mL/mL vs. 0.165 ng/mL/mL) and mean number of positive cores (3.5 vs. 2.4), but not in preoperative PSA values (5.11 ng/mL vs. 5.05 ng/mL). The rate of upstaging from cT1 or cT2 to pT3 or higher was not significantly different between the two cohorts (8.8% vs. 11.0%, P = 0.341). However, there were higher rates of upgrading to high-grade cancer (Gleason 4+3 or higher) in Korean patients (9.1%) when compared to Caucasian counterparts (2.7%) (P = 0.003). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR 1.07, P < 0.001) and smaller prostate volume (OR 0.97, P < 0.001), but not race, were significantly associated with upstaging or upgrading.

Conclusions

There were no differences in rates of upgrading or upstaging between Caucasian and Korean men eligible for active surveillance.

Low-Risk Prostate Cancer and Tumor Upgrading in the Surgical Specimen: Analysis of Clinical Factors Predicting Tumor Upgrading in a Contemporary Series of Patients Who were Evaluated According to the Modified Gleason Score Grading System

OBJECTIVE

To identify significant clinical factors associated with prostate cancer (PCa) upgrading the low-risk PCa patients graded according to the modified Gleason score system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The logistic regression model was used to evaluate the records of 438 patients.

RESULTS

There were 170 cases (38.8%) of low-risk PCa and tumors were upgraded in 111 patients (65.3%). Only prostate specific antigen (PSA) and the proportion of positive cores (P+) were independent predictors of tumor upgrading. Further exploration was investigated by categorizing and regressing PSA (≤ 5.0 vs. > 5.0 ng/ml) and P+ (≤ 0.20 vs. > 0.20). The odds ratio of PSA > 5 ng/ml was 1.32 and of P+ > 0.20 was 2.71. The population was stratified into very low-risk with PSA ≤ 5 ng/ml and P+ ≤ 0.20 (class A), low-risk with PSA > 5 ng/ml and P+ ≤ 0.20 (class B), intermediate risk with PSA ≤ 5 ng/ml and P+ > 0.20 (class C), and high risk with PSA > 5 ng/ml and P+ 0.20 (class D). Upgrading rates were extremely low in class A (9%), extremely high in D (50.5%), and moderate (20%) in B and C.

CONCLUSION

Patients diagnosed with low-risk PCa at biopsy are a heterogeneous population because they include subsets with undetected high-grade disease. Significant clinical predictors of upgrading include the PSA value and P+. In low-risk PCa, we identified a high-risk upgrading subgroup that needed repeat biopsies in order to reclassify the tumor grade and to reassess the clinical risk category.

Grade Group Underestimation in Prostate Biopsy: Predictive Factors and Outcomes in Candidates for Active Surveillance

OBJECTIVE

We intended to analyze the outcomes and predictive factors for underestimating the prostate cancer (PCa) grade group (GG) from prostate biopsies in a large monocentric cohort of patients treated by minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (RP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a monocentric prospectively maintained database, we included 3062 patients who underwent minimally invasive RP between 2006 and 2013. We explored clinicopathologic features and outcomes associated with a GG upgrade from biopsy to RP. Multivariate logistic regression was used to develop and validate a nomogram to predict upgrading for GG1.

RESULTS

Biopsy GG was upgraded after RP in 51.5% of cases. Patients upgraded from GG1 to GG2 or GG3 after RP had a longer time to biochemical recurrence than those with GG2 or GG3 respectively, on both biopsy and RP, but a shorter time to biochemical recurrence than those who remained GG1 after RP (P < .0001). In multivariate analyses, variables predicting upgrading for GG1 PCa were age (P = .0014), abnormal digital rectal examination (P < .0001), prostate-specific antigen density (P < .0001), percentage of positive cores (P < .0001), and body mass index (P = .037). A nomogram was generated and validated internally.

CONCLUSIONS

Biopsy grading system is misleading in approximately 50% of cases. Upgrading GG from biopsy to RP may have consequences on clinical outcomes. A nomogram using clinicopathologic features could aid the probability of needing to upgrade GG1 patients at their initial evaluation.

Testosterone Levels Correlate With Grade Group 5 Prostate Cancer: Another Step Toward Personalized Medicine

BACKGROUND

Controversial results have shown a significant association with either low or high total testosterone (tT) levels and high risk prostate cancer (PCa). We tested the relationship between circulating tT and grade group 5 (G5) PCa at radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with preoperative low- to intermediate-risk disease.

METHODS

Serum sex hormones were assessed the day before RP in a cohort of 846 patients with low- to intermediate-risk PCa. Patients were segregated using the new 5-tiered Gleason grade groups. Restricted cubic spline functions and logistic regression analyses tested the association between sex hormones and G5 PCa. Differences in potential predictive accuracy (PA) were assessed for tT and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.

RESULTS

Overall, 27 men (3.2%) had G5 PCa at RP, and this group had higher PSA values than patients with G1-G4 PCa (P = 0.02). The groups did not differ in terms of preoperative mean hormonal values. Both low and high circulating tT values depicted a nonlinear U-shaped correlation with G5 PCa at RP. The lowest and highest (10th and 90th percentiles) tT values and biopsy PCa grade emerged as multivariable independent predictors of G5 PCa at RP (all P < 0.05). PA for G5 PCa did not differ between tT (area under the curve [AUC] 0.631) and PSA (AUC 0.636).

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating tT was a significant predictor of G5 PCa at RP in patients with preoperative low- to intermediate-risk disease. Preoperative tT and PSA values showed similar PA for the most aggressive disease, confirming a potential role for circulating androgens in preoperative risk assessment of PCa patients. Prostate 77:234-241, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Predictive models and risk of biopsy progression in active surveillance patients

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the performance of different radical prostatectomy-based prognostic tools in predicting the biopsy progression in our active surveillance cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed 326 patients with biopsy Gleason grade≤6,≤2 positive biopsy cores,≤20% tumor present in any core, prostate-specific antigen<15ng/dl, and clinical stages T1-T2a all of whom had at least single surveillance biopsy. Probabilities of pathologically relatively aggressive disease were estimated using Partin and Dinh risk tables and Kattan, Truong, and Kulkarni nomograms for each individual patient. Using these predictions, performance of these tools was quantified regarding discrimination, stratification at different cut-points, calibration, and the clinical net benefit.

RESULTS

Predictions of Partin and Dinh tables were not associated with the biopsy progression. The predictive value of Kattan and Truong nomograms was higher when compared with the other tools, although it was significant only on the first and second surveillance biopsies. Both nomograms were able to identify low- and high-risk subgroups within the cohort. Kattan nomogram demonstrated better correlation with the observed rate of progression over the first 3 biopsies and higher clinical net benefit.

CONCLUSION

Kattan and Truong nomograms demonstrated the best performance in predicting biopsy progression, although their value was largely limited to the first 2 surveillance biopsies. Both tools were able to stratify patients into subgroups with different risks of progression. These nomograms have important differences, which suggest that a more effective predictive model combining the strong sides of both tools and possibly some other variables could be developed.

Active Surveillance for Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer: Survival Outcomes in the Sunnybrook Experience

PURPOSE

To assess the applicability of active surveillance in patients with intermediate risk prostate cancer, we compared the survival outcomes of patients with low risk and intermediate risk disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Active surveillance was offered to all patients with low risk (cT1-T2b and Gleason score 6 and prostate specific antigen 10 ng/ml or less) and select intermediate risk disease (age greater than 70 years with cT2c or prostate specific antigen 15 ng/ml or less, or Gleason score 3+4 or less). Data from November 1995 to May 2013 were extracted from a prospectively collected database. The primary outcome was metastasis-free survival, and secondary outcomes were overall survival, cause specific survival and treatment-free survival.

RESULTS

A total of 213 intermediate risk and 732 low risk cases were identified. Median age was 72 years (IQR 67.3, 76.8) in the intermediate risk cohort and 67 years (IQR 60.6, 71.9) in the low risk group. Median followup was comparable (6.7 years for intermediate risk vs 6.5 years for low risk). Gleason 7 disease comprised 60% of the intermediate risk cohort. The 15-year metastasis-free, overall, cause specific and treatment-free survival rates were inferior in the intermediate risk group (metastasis-free survival HR 3.14, 95% CI 1.51-6.53, p=0.001, 82% for intermediate risk vs 95% for low risk). On further evaluation the estimated 15-year metastasis-free survival for cases of Gleason 6 or less with prostate specific antigen less than 10 ng/ml was 94%, Gleason 6 or less with prostate specific antigen 10 to 20 ng/ml was 94%, Gleason 3+4 with prostate specific antigen 20 ng/ml or less was 84% and Gleason 4+3 with prostate specific antigen 20 ng/ml or less was 63%.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support the use of active surveillance in low risk and intermediate risk cases of Gleason 6 but not Gleason 7 prostate cancer. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and novel biomarkers might be vital in detecting favorable Gleason 7 disease.

Low-Risk Prostate Cancer and Tumor Upgrading to Higher Patterns in the Surgical Specimen. Analysis of Clinical Factors Predicting Tumor Upgrading to Higher Gleason Patterns in a Contemporary Series of Patients Who Have Been Evaluated According to the Modified Gleason Score Grading System

OBJECTIVE

To identify clinical factors associated with prostate cancer (PCA) upgrading to higher patterns of the surgical specimen in low-risk PCA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated the records of 438 patients. The multinomial logistic regression model was used.

RESULTS

Low-risk PCA included 170 cases (38.8%) and tumor upgrading was detected in 111 patients (65.3%) of whom 72 (42.4%) had pathological Gleason patterns (pGP) = 3 + 4 and 39 (22.9%) pGP >3 + 4. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and proportion of positive cores (P+) were independent predictors of tumor upgrading to higher patterns. The main difference between upgraded cancers related to PSA and to P+ >0.20. The population was stratified into risk classes by PSA ≤5 μg/l and P+ ≤0.20 (class A), PSA >5 μg/l and P+ ≤0.20 (class B), PSA ≤5 μg/l and P+ >0.20 (class C) and PSA >5 μg/l and P+ 0.20 (class D). Upgrading rates to pGP >3 + 4 were extremely low in class A (5.1%), extremely high in D (53.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Low-risk PCA is a heterogeneous population with significant rates of undetected high-grade disease. Significant clinical predictors of upgrading to higher patterns include PSA and P+, which identify a very high-risk class that needs repeat biopsies in order to reclassify tumor grade.

Developing a Correct System to Evaluate the Accuracy of Gleason Score in Prostate Cancer of Chinese Population

INTRODUCTION

A study was conducted to develop a new correct system to improve the overall rate of Gleason sum concordance between biopsy and final pathology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 592 consecutive patients who had undergone transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy were evaluated during the first stage. Age, PSA, PSA density (PSAD), biopsy cores, positive cores, prostate volume, positive core rate (PCR), core volume rate (CVR) and digital rectal examination findings were considered predictive factors. A multiple logistic regression analysis involving a backward elimination selection procedure and linear regression analysis involving a stepwise procedure were applied to select independent predictors.

RESULTS

Positive cores, PCR, CVR and PSAD were included in our assessing credibility model in the first stage. A significantly higher area under the receiver-operating curve was obtained in our model compared with CVR alone (0.641 vs. 0.517). In the second stage, patients with credibility of pre-operative Gleason score <0.388 were subjected to further evaluation. Compared with the 2 statuses, the rate of overall concordance was significantly increased (60.3 vs. 50.2%, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a follow-up strategy based on the new and correct system, which represents an important consideration procedure when clinicians make decisions with regard to treatment plans.

[Prostate cancer. Part 2: Review of the various tumor grading systems over the years 1966-2015 and future perspectives of the new grading of the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP)]

The continued development of methods in needle biopsies and radical prostatectomy for treatment of prostate cancer has given special emphasis to the question of the prognostic relevance of the various systems of grading. The classical purely histological grading system of Gleason has been modified several times in the past decades and cleared the way for a new grading system by the prognostic grading of Epstein. Assessment of the old and also modified combined histological and cytological grading of Mostofi, the World health Organization (WHO) and the urologic-pathological working group of prostate cancer in connection with the Gleason grading (combined Gleason-Helpap grading), has led to considerably improved rates of concordance between biopsy and radical prostatectomy and to improved estimations of prognosis beside its contribution to the development of a more practicable grading system for clinical use.

Age is Associated with Upgrading at Confirmatory Biopsy among Men with Prostate Cancer Treated with Active Surveillance

PURPOSE

Active surveillance is increasingly recommended for older men with low risk prostate cancer. Although older men have higher all cause mortality, they also have higher prostate cancer specific mortality. We hypothesized that older age is associated with an increased risk of Gleason score upgrading at confirmatory biopsy when controlling for prostate volume.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed data on 1,130 patients with prostate cancer who were treated with active surveillance from 1991 through 2011. We included 646 patients with clinical Gleason 6 or less, stage T2a or less prostate cancer, a confirmatory biopsy within 2 years of diagnostic biopsy and prostate magnetic resonance imaging before confirmatory biopsy. The primary outcome was Gleason score upgrading to 7 or greater on confirmatory biopsy. We used logistic regression to estimate the effect of age on upgrading, adjusting for magnetic resonance imaging prostate volume and other potential confounders.

RESULTS

Median age was 66 years (IQR 61-72) and median magnetic resonance imaging prostate volume was 41 ml (IQR 29-55). At confirmatory biopsy disease was upgraded in 55 of 646 patients (9%) and unchanged in 290 (45%) and biopsy was negative in 297 (46%). Older age was associated with higher odds of upgrading (adjusted OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09, p=0.009). Larger prostate volume was associated with lower odds of upgrading (adjusted OR 0.80/10 ml increase, 95% CI 0.7-0.9, p=0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that older age is associated with an increased risk of misclassification on diagnostic biopsy. Older men who are interested in active surveillance should be counseled about the risks and benefits of confirmatory biopsy.

Development of ProCaRS Clinical Nomograms for Biochemical Failure-free Survival Following Either Low-Dose Rate Brachytherapy or Conventionally Fractionated External Beam Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer

Purpose: Although several clinical nomograms predictive of biochemical failure-free survival (BFFS) for localized prostate cancer exist in the medical literature, making valid comparisons can be challenging due to variable definitions of biochemical failure, the disparate distribution of prognostic factors, and received treatments in patient populations. The aim of this investigation was to develop and validate clinically-based nomograms for 5-year BFFS using the ASTRO II “Phoenix” definition for two patient cohorts receiving low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy or conventionally fractionated external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) from a large Canadian multi-institutional database.

Methods and Materials: Patients were selected from the GUROC (Genitourinary Radiation Oncologists of Canada) Prostate Cancer Risk Stratification (ProCaRS) database if they received (1) LDR brachytherapy ≥ 144 Gy (n=4208) or (2) EBRT ≥ 70 Gy  (n=822). Multivariable Cox regression analysis for BFFS was performed separately for each cohort and used to generate clinical nomograms predictive of 5-year BFFS. Nomograms were validated using calibration plots of nomogram predicted probability versus observed probability via Kaplan-Meier estimates.

Results: Patients receiving LDR brachytherapy had a mean age of 64 ± 7 years, a mean baseline PSA of 6.3 ± 3.0 ng/mL, 75% had a Gleason 6, and 15% had a Gleason 7, whereas patients receiving EBRT had a mean age of 70 ± 6 years, a mean baseline PSA of 11.6 ± 10.7 ng/mL, 30% had a Gleason 6, 55% had a Gleason 7, and 14% had a Gleason 8-10. Nomograms for 5-year BFFS included age, use and duration of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), baseline PSA, T stage, and Gleason score for LDR brachytherapy and an ADT (months), baseline PSA, Gleason score, and biological effective dose (Gy) for EBRT.

Conclusions: Clinical nomograms examining 5-year BFFS were developed for patients receiving either LDR brachytherapy or conventionally fractionated EBRT and may assist clinicians in predicting an outcome. Future work should be directed at examining the role of additional prognostic factors, comorbidities, and toxicity in predicting survival outcomes.

Magnetic resonance imaging detected prostate evasive anterior tumours: Further insights

INTRODUCTION

Clinical confusion continues to exist regarding the underestimation of cancers among patients on active surveillance and among men with repeated negative prostate biopsies despite worrisome prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. We have previously described our initial experience with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based detection of tumours in the anterior prostate gland. In this report, we update and expand our experience with these tumours in terms of multiparametric-MRI findings, staging, and grading. Furthermore, we report early treatment outcomes with these unique cancers.

METHODS

We reviewed our prostate MRI dataset of 1117 cases from January 2006 until December 2012 and identified 189 patients who fulfilled criteria for prostate evasive anterior tumors (PEATS). Descriptive analyses were performed on multiple covariates. Kaplan-Meier actuarial technique was used to plot the treatment-related outcomes from PEATS tumours.

RESULTS

Among the 189 patients who had MRI-detectable anterior tumours, 148 had biopsy proven disease in the anterior zone. Among these tumours, the average PSA was 18.3 ng/mL and most cancers were Gleason 7. In total, 68 patients chose surgical therapy. Among these men, most of their cancers had extra prostatic extension and 46% had positive surgical margins. Interestingly, upgrading of tumours that were biopsy Gleason 6 in the anterior zone was common, with 59% exhibiting upgrading to Gleason 7 or higher. Biochemical-free survival among men who elected surgery was not ideal, with 20% failing by 20 months.

CONCLUSION

PEATS tumours are found late and are disproportionally high grade tumours. Careful consideration to MRI testing should be given to men at risk for PEATS.

Adverse Pathologic Features at Radical Prostatectomy: Effect of Preoperative Risk on Oncologic Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Up to 30% of patients with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) are found to have features of aggressive disease at radical prostatectomy (RP). Several predictive nomograms and novel genomic markers have been developed to estimate the risk of adverse pathology in men eligible for active surveillance (AS). However, oncologic risk associated with these findings remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the presence of adverse pathologic features at RP in patients eligible for AS is prognostic of poor oncologic outcome independent of pretreatment risk status.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 2660 patients underwent immediate RP at our institution between 1998 and 2008. Patients were stratified as low, intermediate, or high risk according to the D'Amico clinical risk criteria.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The rates of adverse pathology were reported, and the 5-yr risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) was calculated in the presence of aggressive disease.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

The 5-yr risk of BCR in patients with extracapsular extension (n=937) was 43% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40-46) overall but only 15% (95% CI, 11-22) for those who met the criteria for low risk (n=181). For the 473 patients with pathologic Gleason score 4+3, the risk of recurrence at 5 yr was 41% (95% CI, 37-46) overall, 13% (95% CI, 5-27) for low-risk men (n=41), 41% (95% CI, 35-47) for intermediate-risk men (n=287), and 51% (95% CI, 43-60) for high-risk men (n=145). Limitations include use of BCR as the study end point and surrogate for oncologic outcome in men who received curative treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of pathologically unfavorable disease in patients eligible for AS is not informative as to the safety of this treatment modality. We question the relevance of adverse pathology as the end point for predictive tools designed to guide treatment decisions in low-risk PCa.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The risk of biochemical recurrence associated with adverse pathologic findings at prostatectomy is reduced by approximately 50% in men with clinically low-risk prostate cancer.

Clinical implications of a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging based nomogram applied to prostate cancer active surveillance

PURPOSE

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging may be beneficial in the search for rational ways to decrease prostate cancer intervention in patients on active surveillance. We applied a previously generated nomogram based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging to predict active surveillance eligibility based on repeat biopsy outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the records of 85 patients who met active surveillance criteria at study entry based on initial biopsy and who then underwent 3.0 Tesla multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging with subsequent magnetic resonance imaging/ultrasound fusion guided prostate biopsy between 2007 and 2012. We assessed the accuracy of a previously published nomogram in patients on active surveillance before confirmatory biopsy. For each cutoff we determined the number of biopsies avoided (ie reliance on magnetic resonance imaging alone without rebiopsy) over the full range of nomogram cutoffs.

RESULTS

We assessed the performance of the multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging active surveillance nomogram based on a decision to perform biopsy at various nomogram generated probabilities. Based on cutoff probabilities of 19% to 32% on the nomogram the number of patients who could be spared repeat biopsy was 27% to 68% of the active surveillance cohort. The sensitivity of the test in this interval was 97% to 71% and negative predictive value was 91% to 81%.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging based nomograms may reasonably decrease the number of repeat biopsies in patients on active surveillance by as much as 68%. Analysis over the full range of nomogram generated probabilities allows patient and caregiver preference based decision making on the risk assumed for the benefit of fewer repeat biopsies.

Prostate size and adverse pathologic features in men undergoing radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between prostate volume measured from preoperative imaging and adverse pathologic features at the time of radical prostatectomy and evaluate the potential effect of clinical stage on such relationship.

METHODS

In 1756 men who underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and radical prostatectomy from 2000 to 2010, we examined associations of magnetic resonance imaging-measured prostate volume with pathologic outcomes using univariate logistic regression and with postoperative biochemical recurrence using Cox proportional hazards models. We also analyzed the effects of clinical stage on the relationship between prostate volume and adverse pathologic features via interaction analyses.

RESULTS

In univariate analyses, smaller prostate volume was significantly associated with high pathologic Gleason score (P<.0001), extracapsular extension (P<.0001), and positive surgical margins (P=.032). No significant interaction between clinical stage and prostate volume was observed in predicting adverse pathologic features (all P>.05). The association between prostate volume and recurrence was significant in a multivariable analysis adjusting for postoperative variables (P=.031) but missed statistical significance in the preoperative model (P=.053). Addition of prostate volume did not change C-Indices (0.78 and 0.83) of either model.

CONCLUSION

Although prostate size did not enhance the prediction of recurrence, it is associated with aggressiveness of prostate cancer. There is no evidence that this association differs depending on clinical stage. Prospective studies are warranted assessing the effect of initial method of detection on the relationship between volume and outcome.

Outcomes of men with an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level as their sole preoperative intermediate- or high-risk feature

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the post-prostatectomy and long-term outcomes of men presenting with an elevated pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (>10 ng/mL), but otherwise low-risk features (biopsy Gleason score ≤6 and clinical stage ≤T2a).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

PSA-incongruent intermediate-risk (PII) cases were defined as those patients with preoperative PSA >10 and ≤20 ng/mL but otherwise low-risk features, and PSA-incongruent high-risk (PIH) cases were defined as men with PSA >20 ng/mL but otherwise low-risk features. Our institutional radical prostatectomy database (1992-2012) was queried and the results were stratified into D'Amico low-, intermediate- and high risk, PSA-incongruent intermediate-risk and PSA-incongruent high-risk cases. Prostate cancer (PCa) features and outcomes were evaluated using appropriate comparative tests. Multivariable analyses were adjusted for age, race and year of surgery.

RESULTS

Of the total cohort of 17 608 men, 1132 (6.4%) had PII-risk disease and 183 (1.0%) had PIH-risk disease. Compared with the low-risk group, the odds of upgrading at radical prostatectomy (RP) were 2.20 (95% CI 1.93-2.52; P < 0.001) for the PII group and 3.58 (95% CI 2.64-4.85; P < 0.001) for the PIH group, the odds of extraprostatic disease at RP were 2.35 (95% CI 2.05-2.68; P < 0.001) for the PII group and 6.68 (95% CI 4.89-9.15; P < 0.001) for the PIH group, and the odds of positive surgical margins were 1.97 (95% CI 1.67-2.33; P < 0.001) for the PII group and 3.54 (95% CI 2.50-4.95, P < 0.001) for the PIH group. Compared with low-risk disease, PII-risk disease was associated with a 2.85-, 2.99- and 3.32-fold greater risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR), metastasis and PCa-specific mortality, respectively, and PIH-risk disease was associated with a 5.32-, 6.14- and 7.07-fold greater risk of BCR, metastasis and PCa-specific mortality, respectively (P ≤ 0.001 for all comparisons). For the PII group, the higher risks of positive surgical margins, upgrading, upstaging and BCR were dependent on PSA density (PSAD): men in the PII group who had a PSAD <0.15 ng/mL/g were not at higher risk compared with those in the low-risk group. Men in the PII group with a PSAD ≥0.15 ng/mL/g and men in the PIH group were more likely to have an anterior component of the dominant tumour (59 and 64%, respectively) compared with those in the low- (35%) and intermediate-risk group (39%) and those in the PII-risk group with PSAD <0.15 ng/mL/g (29%).

CONCLUSIONS

Men with PSA >20 ng/mL or men with PSA >10 and ≤20 ng/mL with a PSAD ≥0.15 ng/mL/g, but otherwise low-risk PCa, are at greater risk of adverse pathological and oncological outcomes and may be inappropriate candidates for active surveillance. These men are at greater risk of having anterior tumours that are undersampled at biopsy, so if treatment is deferred, ancillary testing such as anterior zone sampling or magnetic resonance imaging should be strongly encouraged. Men with elevated PSA levels >10 and ≤20 ng/mL but low PSAD have outcomes similar to those in the low-risk group, and consideration of surveillance is appropriate in these cases.

Predicting the risk of harboring high-grade disease for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer scored as Gleason ≤ 6 on biopsy cores

PURPOSE

Biopsy and final pathological Gleason score (GS) are inconstantly correlated with each other. The aim of the current study was to develop and validate a predictive score to screen patients diagnosed with a biopsy GS ≤ 6 prostate cancer (PCa) at risk of GS upgrading.

METHODS

Clinical and pathological data of 1,179 patients managed with radical prostatectomy for a biopsy GS ≤ 6, clinical stage ≤ T2b and preoperative PSA ≤ 20 ng/ml PCa were collected. The population study was randomly split into a development (n = 822) and a validation (n = 357) cohort. A prognostic score was established using the independent factors related to GS upgrading identified in multivariate analysis. The cutoff value derived from the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the score.

RESULTS

After RP, the rate of GS upgrading was 56.7%. In multivariate analysis, length of cancer per core > 5 mm (OR 2.938; p < 0.001), PSA level > 15 ng/ml (OR 2.365; p = 0.01), age > 70 (OR 1.746; p = 0.016), number of biopsy cores > 12 (OR 0.696; p = 0.041) and prostate weight > 50 g (OR 0.656; CI; p < 0.007) were independent predictive factors of GS upgrading. A score ranged between -4 and 12 with a cutoff value of 2 was established. In the development cohort, the accuracy of predictive score was 63.7% and the positive predictive value was 71.2%. Results were confirmed in the validation cohort.

CONCLUSION

This predictive tool might be used to screen patients initially diagnosed with low-grade PCa but harboring occult high-grade disease.

Predictors of Gleason score upgrading in patients with prostate biopsy Gleason score ≤6

INTRODUCTION

The discrepancy between prostate biopsy and prostatectomy Gleason scores is common. We investigate the predictive value of prostate biopsy features for predicting Gleason score (GS) upgrading in patients with biopsy Gleason scores ≤6 who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Our aim was to determine predictors of GS upgrading and to offer guidance to clinicians in determining the therapeutic option.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent RRP for clinically localized prostate cancer at 2 major centres between January 2007 and March 2013. All patients with either abnormal digital examination or elevated prostate-specific antigen at screening underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. Variables were evaluated among the patients with and without GS upgrading. Our study limitations include its retrospective design, the fact that all subjects were Turkish and the fact that we had a small sample size.

RESULTS

In total, 321 men had GS ≤6 on prostate biopsy. Of these, 190 (59.2%) had GS≤6 concordance and 131 (40.8%) had GS upgrading from ≤6 on biopsy to 7 or higher at the time of the prostatectomy. Independent predictors of pathological upgrading were prostate volume <40 cc (p < 0.001), maximum percent of cancer in any core (p = 0.011), and >1 core positive for cancer (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

When obtaining an extended-core biopsy scheme, patients with small prostates (≤40 cc), greater than 1 core positive for cancer, and an increased burden of cancer are associated with increased risk of GS upgrading. Patients with GS ≤6 on biopsy with these pathological parameters should be carefully counselled on treatment decisions.

The effect of differing Gleason scores at biopsy on the odds of upgrading and the risk of death from prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

The GS is an established prostate cancer prognostic factor. Whether the presence of differing GSs at biopsy (eg, 4+3 and 3+3), which we term ComboGS, improves the prognosis that would be predicted based on the highest GS (eg, 4+3) because of decreased upgrading is unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the odds of upgrading at time of radical prostatectomy (RP) and the risk of PCSM when ComboGS was present versus absent.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Logistic and competing risks regression were performed to assess the effect that ComboGS had on the odds of upgrading at time of RP in the index (n = 134) and validation cohorts (n = 356) and the risk of PCSM after definitive therapy in a long-term cohort (n = 666), adjusting for known predictors of these end points. We calculated and compared the area under the curve using a receiver operating characteristic analysis when ComboGS was included versus excluded from the upgrading models.

RESULTS

ComboGS was associated with decreased odds of upgrading (index: adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.50; P = .003; validation: AOR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11-0.51; P < .001) and added significantly to the predictive value of upgrading for the in-sample index (P = .02), validation (P = .003), and out-of-sample prediction models (P = .002). ComboGS was also associated with a decreased risk of PCSM (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.19-0.85; P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Differing biopsy GSs are associated with a lower odds of upgrading and risk of PCSM. If validated, future randomized noninferiority studies evaluating deescalated treatment approaches in men with ComboGS could be considered.

A nomogram to predict Gleason sum upgrading of clinically diagnosed localized prostate cancer among Chinese patients

Although several models have been developed to predict the probability of Gleason sum upgrading between biopsy and radical prostatectomy specimens, most of these models are restricted to prostate-specific antigen screening-detected prostate cancer. This study aimed to build a nomogram for the prediction of Gleason sum upgrading in clinically diagnosed prostate cancer. The study cohort comprised 269 Chinese prostate cancer patients who underwent prostate biopsy with a minimum of 10 cores and were subsequently treated with radical prostatectomy. Of all included patients, 220 (81.8%) were referred with clinical symptoms. The prostate-specific antigen level, primary and secondary biopsy Gleason scores, and clinical T category were used in a multivariate logistic regression model to predict the probability of Gleason sum upgrading. The developed nomogram was validated internally. Gleason sum upgrading was observed in 90 (33.5%) patients. Our nomogram showed a bootstrap-corrected concordance index of 0.789 and good calibration using 4 readily available variables. The nomogram also demonstrated satisfactory statistical performance for predicting significant upgrading. External validation of the nomogram published by Chun et al. in our cohort showed a marked discordance between the observed and predicted probabilities of Gleason sum upgrading. In summary, a new nomogram to predict Gleason sum upgrading in clinically diagnosed prostate cancer was developed, and it demonstrated good statistical performance upon internal validation.

Elevated fatty acid synthase expression in prostate needle biopsy cores predicts upgraded Gleason score in radical prostatectomy specimens

BACKGROUND

We examined whether fatty acid synthase (FAS) expression in prostate biopsy cores had valuable information and could predict a Gleason score (GS) upgraded from biopsy to radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens.

METHODS

Immunostaining with a FAS antibody was performed on paraffin-embedded prostate biopsy cores with GS 5-6 obtained from 80 patients who subsequently underwent RP. The correlations between FAS expression and clinicopathological parameters, upgrading group, and clinicopathological parameters including FAS expression were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify a significant set of independent predictors for upgrading GS.

RESULTS

A total of 46 patients (57.5%) with biopsy GS 5-6 were upgraded to GS ≥7 at RP. FAS expression was significantly associated with clinical T stage (P = 0.0232) and positive core rate (P = 0.0245). Upgrading from biopsy GS 5-6 to GS ≥7 at RP was significantly associated with clinical T stage (P = 0.0337), positive core rate (P = 0.0262), and FAS expression (P < 0.0001). FAS expression was a significant predictor for upgrading from biopsy GS 5-6 to GS ≥7 at RP in multivariate analysis (P < 0.0001; odds ratio, 12.35). FAS scores showed the largest area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) in preoperative parameters (AUC = 0.753).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased FAS expression in prostate biopsy cores could be a novel parameter for upgrading from biopsy GS 5-6 to GS ≥7 at RP. If a biopsy GS is low, the treatment strategy for patients with high FAS expression in prostate biopsy cores should be carefully determined.

Development and multi-institutional validation of an upgrading risk tool for Gleason 6 prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Many patients with low-risk prostate cancer (PC) who are diagnosed with Gleason score 6 at biopsy are ultimately found to harbor higher grade PC (Gleason ≥ 7) at radical prostatectomy. This finding increases risk of recurrence and cancer-specific mortality. Validated clinical tools that are available preoperatively are needed to improve the ability to recognize likelihood of upgrading in patients with low-risk PC.

METHODS

More than 30 clinicopathologic parameters were assessed in consecutive patients with Gleason 6 PC upon biopsy who underwent radical prostatectomy. A nomogram for predicting upgrading (Gleason ≥ 7) on final pathology was generated using multivariable logistic regression in a development cohort of 431 patients. External validation was performed in 2 separate cohorts consisting of 1151 patients and 392 patients. Nomogram performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration, and decision analysis.

RESULTS

On multivariable analysis, variables predicting upgrading were prostate-specific antigen density using ultrasound (odds ratio [OR] = 229, P = .003), obesity (OR = 1.90, P = .05), number of positive cores (OR = 1.23, P = .01), and maximum core involvement (OR = 0.02, P = .01). On internal validation, the bootstrap-corrected predictive accuracy was 0.753. External validation revealed a predictive accuracy of 0.677 and 0.672. The nomogram demonstrated excellent calibration in all 3 cohorts and decision curves demonstrated high net benefit across a wide range of threshold probabilities. The nomogram demonstrated areas under the curve of 0.597 to 0.672 for predicting upgrading in subsets of men with very low-risk PC who meet active surveillance criteria (all P < .001), allowing further risk stratification of these individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

A nomogram was developed and externally validated that uses preoperative clinical parameters and biopsy findings to predict the risk of pathological upgrading in Gleason 6 patients. This can be used to further inform patients with lower risk PC who are considering treatment or active surveillance.

Is small prostate volume a predictor of Gleason score upgrading after radical prostatectomy?

PURPOSE

We aimed to analyze the relationship between prostate volume and Gleason score (GS) upgrading [higher GS category in the radical prostatectomy (RP) specimen than in the prostate biopsy] in Korean men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 247 men who underwent RP between May 2006 and April 2011 at our institution. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) volume was categorized as 25 cm³ or less (n=61), 25 to 40 cm³ (n=121) and greater than 40 cm³ (n=65). GS was examined as a categorical variable of 6 or less, 3+4 and 4+3 or greater. The relationship between TRUS volume and upgrading of GS was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 87 patients (35.2%) were upgraded, 20 (8.1%) were downgraded, and 140 (56.7%) had identical biopsy and pathological Gleason sum groups. Smaller TRUS volume was significantly associated with increased likelihood of upgrading (p trend=0.022). Men with prostates 25 cm³ or less had more than 2.7 times the risk of disease being upgraded relative to men with TRUS volumes more than 40 cm³ (OR 2.718, 95% CI 1.403-8.126).

CONCLUSION

In our study, smaller prostate volumes were at increased risk for GS upgrading after RP. This finding should be kept in mind when making treatment decisions for men with prostate cancer that appears to be of a low grade on biopsy, especially in Asian urologic fields.

Risk of Gleason grade inaccuracies in prostate cancer patients eligible for active surveillance

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate increases in Gleason grade because of sample bias after immediate rebiopsy or prostatectomy for patients considered active surveillance candidates by institutional protocol.

METHODS

A contemporary medical literature search was performed using PubMed. Series were included if the patients had no more than Gleason 6 prostate cancer score on initial biopsy and underwent a prostatectomy or rebiopsy within 6 months. Patient sets using neoadjuvant hormonal therapy or focal prostate treatment were excluded.

RESULTS

In patients who would have fallen into the D'Amico low-risk prostate cancer group, 42% were found to have an increase in the Gleason score: 32% resulting in grade ≥ 7 disease and 3% grade ≥ 8. For series that limited patients to the Epstein criteria, Gleason upgrades were 34%, 29%, and 2%, respectively. Of the 139 patients whose second tissue specimens were from a rebiopsy, 17% were found to have grade ≥ 7 disease, whereas only 1 patient had grade ≥ 8. There were no consistent multivariate analysis variables among the series to predict for an increase in Gleason score.

CONCLUSION

More than one third of the patients were found to have been undergraded based on their initial prostate biopsy. Therefore, 1 biopsy alone may not be sufficient to offer active surveillance as an option. Further exploration is necessary to better ensure low-risk disease before active surveillance.

[Transrectal biopsy scheme can predict incorrect histological grading in prostate cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors that might explain why a prostate with a Gleason score (GS) <7 in the biopsy specimen can turn out to have a GS ≥7 in the surgical specimen.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We compared the GS of biopsy specimens with the GS of surgical specimens in 185 patients who underwent surgery for prostate cancer. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for the GS of the biopsy specimens. We used Cohen's kappa to determine the degree of concordance between a GS of <7 and ≥7 for the biopsy specimen and the surgical specimen. Age, a family history of prostate cancer, total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA), digital rectal examination, prostate structure and volume, and the number of biopsy cores (biopsy scheme) were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Histological study of biopsy specimens yielded high sensitivity (98%) but low specificity (49%) for GS ≤6 and low sensitivity (35, 26%) and high specificity (93, 99%) for GS=7 and GS ≥7, respectively. Cohen's kappa for the GS from the biopsy and surgical specimens was 0.43 (95% CI=30-56%). The biopsy scheme was the only predictor of discordance in the GS between the two techniques. Among the other variables included in the model, only tPSA showed a slightly significant association. Taking a scheme with less than 7 cores as a reference, we found no difference with 8 to 9 cores but we did find a difference with 10 to 11 cores and with 12 or more cores, with a prevalence ratio of 0.138 (95% CI=0.030-0.513) and 0.277 (95% CI=0.091-0.806), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The GS of the biopsy depends on the scheme. This factor must be taken into account when choosing a treatment option in patients with low tumor grade in biopsy specimens.

Knife or needles? A cohort analysis of outcomes after radical prostatectomy or brachytherapy for men with low- or intermediate-risk adenocarcinoma of the prostate

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes for men with early stage prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) or brachytherapy (BT) at a single tertiary care center.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We retrospectively analyzed data from 371 men with clinical T1a-T2c disease with prostate-specific antigen level <20 ng/mL and Gleason score (GS) 6-7 who were treated with RP (n=279) or BT (n=92) at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2000-2001. Biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) and prostate cancer-specific survival rates were compared by treatment modality.

RESULTS

The median followup time was 7.2 and 7.6 years for patients treated with RP and BT, respectively. Disease was upgraded from GS 6 to 7 after central review of the biopsy specimen for 36 men treated with RP (12.9%) and 15 men treated with BT (16.3%). After RP, GS was upgraded in 121 men (43.4%) between the centrally reviewed biopsy and the RP specimen. After RP, 5-year BRFS rates were 96.1% and 90.6% for low- and intermediate-risk disease, respectively (p=0.003). After BT, 5-year BRFS rates were 92.5% and 95.8% for low- and intermediate-risk disease, respectively (p=0.017). After RP or BT, 5-year BRFS rates were not significantly different with GS upgraded. Five-year prostate cancer-specific survival rates for patients with upgraded GS were 100% for both RP and BT.

CONCLUSIONS

Excellent disease control outcomes can be achieved after either RP or BT as monotherapy for men with early stage prostate cancer. Upgrading of GS from 6 to 7, either (3+4) or (4+3), did not predict for worse outcomes.