Findings in 12-core transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate needle biopsy that predict more advanced cancer at prostatectomy: analysis of 388 biopsy-prostatectomy pairs

High-volume prostate biopsy core involvement is not associated with an increased risk of cancer recurrence following 5-fraction stereotactic body radiation therapy monotherapy

PURPOSE

Percentage of positive cores involved on a systemic prostate biopsy has been established as a risk factor for adverse oncologic outcomes and is a National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) independent parameter for unfavorable intermediate-risk disease. Most data from a radiation standpoint was published in an era of conventional fractionation. We explore whether the higher biological dose delivered with SBRT can mitigate this risk factor.

METHODS

A large single institutional database was interrogated to identify all patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (PCa) treated with 5-fraction SBRT without ADT. Pathology results were reviewed to determine detailed core involvement as well as Gleason score (GS). High-volume biopsy core involvement was defined as ≥ 50%. Weighted Gleason core involvement was reviewed, giving higher weight to higher-grade cancer. The PSA kinetics and oncologic outcomes were analyzed for association with core involvement.

RESULTS

From 2009 to 2018, 1590 patients were identified who underwent SBRT for localized PCa. High-volume core involvement was a relatively rare event observed in 19% of our cohort, which was observed more in patients with small prostates (p < 0.0001) and/or intermediate-risk disease (p = 0.005). Higher PSA nadir was observed in those patients with low-volume core involvement within the intermediate-risk cohort (p = 0.004), which was confirmed when core involvement was analyzed as a continuous variable weighted by Gleason score (p = 0.049). High-volume core involvement was not associated with biochemical progression (p = 0.234).

CONCLUSIONS

With a median follow-up of over 4 years, biochemical progression was not associated with pretreatment high-volume core involvement for patients treated with 5-fraction SBRT alone. In the era of prostate SBRT and MRI-directed prostate biopsies, the use of high-volume core involvement as an independent predictor of unfavorable intermediate risk disease should be revisited.

An approach to genetic testing in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in Singapore

Introduction

There has been a rapid evolution in the treatment strategies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) following the identification of targetable mutations, making genetic testing essential for patient selection. Although several international guidelines recommend genetic testing for patients with mCRPC, there is a lack of locally endorsed clinical practice guidelines in Singapore.

Method

A multidisciplinary specialist panel with representation from medical and radiation oncology, urology, pathology, interventional radiology, and medical genetics discussed the challenges associated with patient selection, genetic counselling and sample processing in mCRPC.

Results

A clinical model for incorporating genetic testing into routine clinical practice in Singapore was formulated. Tumour testing with an assay that is able to detect both somatic and germline mutations should be utilised. The panel also recommended the "mainstreaming" approach for genetic counselling in which pre-test counselling is conducted by the managing clinician and post-test discussion with a genetic counsellor, to alleviate the bottlenecks at genetic counselling stage in Singapore. The need for training of clinicians to provide pre-test genetic counselling and educating the laboratory personnel for appropriate sample processing that facilitates downstream genetic testing was recognised. Molecular tumour boards and multidisciplinary discussions are recommended to guide therapeutic decisions in mCRPC. The panel also highlighted the issue of reimbursement for genetic testing to reduce patient-borne costs and increase the reach of genetic testing among this patient population.

Conclusion

This article aims to provide strategic and implementable recommendations to overcome the challenges in genetic testing for patients with mCRPC in Singapore.

Explainable artificial intelligence to predict the risk of side-specific extraprostatic extension in pre-prostatectomy patients

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to develop an explainable machine learning (ML) model to predict side-specific extraprostatic extension (ssEPE) to identify patients who can safely undergo nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy using preoperative clinicopathological variables.

METHODS

A retrospective sample of clinicopathological data from 900 prostatic lobes at our institution was used as the training cohort. Primary outcome was the presence of ssEPE. The baseline model for comparison had the highest performance out of current biopsy-derived predictive models for ssEPE. A separate logistic regression (LR) model was built using the same variables as the ML model. All models were externally validated using a testing cohort of 122 lobes from another institution. Models were assessed by area under receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUROC), precision-recall curve (AUPRC), calibration, and decision curve analysis. Model predictions were explained using SHapley Additive exPlanations. This tool was deployed as a publicly available web application.

RESULTS

Incidence of ssEPE in the training and testing cohorts were 30.7 and 41.8%, respectively. The ML model achieved AUROC 0.81 (LR 0.78, baseline 0.74) and AUPRC 0.69 (LR 0.64, baseline 0.59) on the training cohort. On the testing cohort, the ML model achieved AUROC 0.81 (LR 0.76, baseline 0.75) and AUPRC 0.78 (LR 0.75, baseline 0.70). The ML model was explainable, well-calibrated, and achieved the highest net benefit for clinically relevant cutoffs of 10-30%.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a user-friendly application that enables physicians without prior ML experience to assess ssEPE risk and understand factors driving these predictions to aid surgical planning and patient counselling (https://share.streamlit.io/jcckwong/ssepe/main/ssEPE_V2.py).

Perineural invasion detected in prostate biopsy is a predictor of positive surgical margin of radical prostatectomy specimen: A meta-analysis

The role of perineural invasion detected by puncture biopsy of prostate cancer remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between positive perineural invasion at prostate biopsy and positive surgical margins (PSM) after radical prostatectomy. We searched a number of relevant electronic databases including Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library until 31 March 2021. STATA 15.1 software was used to analyse all data for this article. The quality of these studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (ranged from 0 to 9 stars). Finally, we selected 13 high-quality studies in our meta-analysis, which contain 8283 patients. Overall pooled analysis proposed that biopsy perineural invasion was related to a higher risk of the positive surgical margins after radical prostatectomy in prostate cancer (RR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.56-1.92; z = 10.30, p = 0.000). Moreover, the outcomes of the publication bias checkout testified that without significant bias arose (Egger's test: 0.086 > 0.05; Begg's test: 0.59 > 0.05). The existing evidence indicates that higher incidence of positive surgical margins in patients who had perineural invasion was detected in prostate biopsy.

Impact of biopsy perineural invasion on younger prostate cancer patients after radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES

To identify the potential indicators for higher-risk disease and poor outcome in younger prostate cancer (PCa) patients (age ≤ 50) who had undergone radical prostatectomy (RP) in the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) era.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 186 PCa cases of age ≤ 50 who underwent RP between 2003 and 2010 at our center were included for study. High-risk disease after RP was defined as cases with pre-PSA ≥ 20 ng/ml and/or Gleason score (GS) ≥ 4 + 3 and/or pT stage ≥ 3. The poor outcome group was defined as cases with biochemical recurrence (BCR) and/or metastasis (Mets) and/or all-cause death. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to identify independent risk factors for both high-risk disease and poor outcome.

RESULTS

Among 186 younger PCa patients aged ≤ 50, 36 cases (19.5%) had high-risk disease and 24 cases (12.9%) had poor outcome. The presence of biopsy perineural invasion (BxPNI) was significantly associated with high-risk disease and showed a trend to correlate with worse outcome in univariate analysis. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, BxPNI was shown to be a significant independent risk factor with covariate of D'Amico for poor outcome (p = 0.047) and an independent risk factor with covariate of BxGPC for high-risk PCa excepting the variables to define high-risk disease (p = 0.013). Prognostically, cases with BxPNI showed a poor BCR-free survival in univariate analysis but did not reach significance (p = 0.063).

CONCLUSION

Our results show that BxPNI could be considered as a risk classification factor to identify the best candidates among younger PCa patients for further treatment and may also be used for developing active surveillance (AS) selection criteria for younger PCa patients.

Combined systematic versus stand-alone multiparametric MRI-guided targeted fusion biopsy: nomogram prediction of non-organ-confined prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

Based on unfavorable oncological and functional outcomes of non-organ-confined (NOC) prostate cancer (PCa), defined as ≥ pT3, pN1 or both, we aimed to develop a NOC prediction tool based on multiparametric MRI-guided targeted fusion biopsy (TBx).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Analyses were restricted to 594 patients with simultaneous PCa detection at systematic biopsy (SBx), TBx and subsequent radical prostatectomy (RP) at our institution. Development (n = 396; cohort 1) and validation cohorts (n = 198; cohort 2) were used to develop and validate the NOC nomogram. A head-to-head comparison was performed between stand-alone TBx model and combined TBx/SBx model. Second validation was performed in patients with positive TBx, but negative SBx (n = 193; cohort 3).

RESULTS

The most parsimonious TBx model included three independent predictors of NOC: pretreatment PSA (OR 1.05 95% CI: 1.01-1.08), highest TBx-detected Gleason pattern (3 + 3 [REF] vs. ≥ 4 + 5; OR 9.3 95% CI 3.8-22) and presence of TBx-detected perineural invasion (OR 2.2 95% CI: 1.3-3.6). The combined TBx/SBx model had the same predictors. For the stand-alone TBx and combined TBx/SBx model, external validation yielded accuracy of 76.5% (95% CI: 69.3-83.1) and 76.6% (95% CI: 69.4-83.6) within cohort 2. The external validation of the stand-alone TBx model yielded 72.4% (95% CI: 65.0-79.6) accuracy within cohort 3.

CONCLUSION

Our stand-alone TBx-based nomogram can identify PCa patients at the risk of NOC, using three simple variables, with the similar accuracy as the TBx/SBx-based model. It is non-inferior to combined TBx/SBx-based model and performs with sufficient accuracy in specific patients with positive TBx, but negative SBx.

Gleason score 5 + 3 = 8 (grade group 4) prostate cancer-a rare occurrence with contemporary grading

Grade Group (GG) 4 prostate cancer includes Gleason scores (GS) 3 + 5 = 8, 4 + 4 = 8, and 5 + 3 = 8. Some studies without pathology re-review of historical cohorts proposed that the presence of pattern 5 worsens prognosis compared to GS 4 + 4 = 8 cancer. We assessed how often historically graded GS 5 + 3 = 8 cancers retain this grade with contemporary grading recommendations. Sixteen prostate biopsies and 24 radical prostatectomies (RP) reported from 2005 to 2019 as GS 5 + 3 = 8 were re-reviewed and graded according to contemporary recommendations. In discrepant cases, an attempt was made to explain the different grading. One (6%) biopsy and 3 (12%) RPs remained GS 5 + 3 = 8 (GG4) after re-review. Two (12%) biopsies remained GG4 but were re-graded as GS 3 + 5 = 8 and 1 (4%) RP was reclassified as GS 4 + 4 = 8 (GG4). Eight (50%) biopsies and 15 (64%) RPs were upgraded to Gleason scores 9-10 (GG5). Five (32%) biopsies and 1 (4%) RPs were downgraded to Gleason score 7 (GG2 and 3). One (4%) RP showed GS 3 + 3 = 6 (GG1) cancer. Data from 2013-current from the 3 institutions were available to assess the incidence of GS 5 + 3 = 8 following re-review of the cases. Out of 14 359 biopsies with cancer and 6727 radical prostatectomy specimens, only 1 case (0.007%) and no cases (0%) were graded as GS 5 + 3 = 8, respectively. Reasons for grading discrepancies included: 1) assigning an overall common grade to separate needle cores or tumor nodules; 2) inclusion of <5% lower grade pattern into grading; and 3) misinterpretation of variant histology and patterns. Challenging patterns were poorly-formed glands, signet ring cell-like features, atrophic carcinoma, ductal carcinoma, and mucinous fibroplasia. GS 5 + 3 = 8 (GG4) cancer is very rare with contemporary grading. The reliability of conclusions from retrospective databases regarding the clinical significance of this grade combination without slide re-review is questionable.

Impact of biopsy perineural invasion on the outcomes of patients who underwent radical prostatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: To investigate the association between biopsy perineural invasion (PNI) and oncological outcomes of prostate cancer (PCa) after radical prostatectomy (RP).Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science up to December 2018 to identify the eligible studies that included localized PCa patients who underwent biopsy and subsequently RP as well as follow-up information. Meta-analyses were conducted using available hazard ratios (HRs) of biopsy PNI from both univariate and multivariate analyses.Results: Eighteen studies including 14,855 patients with treatment follow-up information were included in the current systematic review. The rate of biopsy PNI varied between 7.0% and 33.0%. Seven out of the 18 studies that demonstrated biopsy PNI were associated with adverse pathologic features. Thirteen out of the 18 studies showed biopsy PNI correlated significantly with higher rates of biochemical recurrence (BCR)/cancer progression status or worse prognostic outcomes. With pooled data based on four studies with available univariate analysis results and four studies with multivariate analysis, statistically significant associations were found between biopsy PNI and BCR with univariate analysis (HR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.57-2.68; p < 0.001) and with multivariate analysis (HR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.28-1.93; p < 0.001).Conclusion: Evidence from the included observational studies indicated that biopsy PNI was not only correlated with adverse pathologic characteristics but also with worse BCR prognosis of local PCa after RP. The status of biopsy PNI could serve as a promising risk-stratification factor to help the decision-making process, considering active surveillance (AS) or further treatment for PCa patients.

Potential effect of anti-inflammatory drug use on PSA kinetics and subsequent prostate cancer diagnosis: Risk stratification in black and white men with benign prostate biopsy

BACKGROUND

Rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels are associated with both increased risk of prostate cancer and prostatic inflammation. The confounding effects of inflammation on the utility of PSA kinetics to predict prostate cancer may be partially mitigated by anti-inflammatory drug use. We investigated the influence of anti-inflammatory drug use on the association of PSA kinetics with prostate cancer risk.

METHODS

We studied 488 prostate cancer case-control pairs (290 white, 198 African American (AA)) nested in a retrospective cohort of men with a benign prostate biopsy. A series of multivariable models estimated prostate cancer risk associated with PSA velocity (PSAV) at different levels of anti-inflammatory drug use while adjusting for the presence of both clinical and histologic prostatitis.

RESULTS

In men with one, two, or three or more courses of anti-inflammatory drug use, for each ng/mL/year increase in PSAV, prostate cancer risk increased 1.21-fold, 1.83-fold, and 1.97-fold, respectively ( P < 0.0001). In controls with histologic prostatitis, anti-inflammatory drug use was associated with a significantly lower PSAV ( P < 0.0001). This association was not observed in men with histologic prostatitis who were subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer. A positive interaction between anti-inflammatory drug use and PSAV-associated prostate cancer risk was only observed in AA men, as well as a strong positive association between any anti-inflammatory drug use and clinical prostatitis ( P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

In men with benign prostate biopsy, accounting for the presence of histologic prostatitis and anti-inflammatory drug use, particularly in AA men, may help distinguish between men with rising PSA because of prostatitis vs undiagnosed cancer.

Updates on Grading and Staging of Prostate Cancer

Since its development between 1966 and 1977, the Gleason grading system has remained one of the most important prognostic indicators in prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma. The grading system was first majorly revised in 2005 and again in 2014. With the publication of the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging manual in 2018, the classification of prostate cancer and its reporting have further evolved and are now included as part of staging criteria. This article reflects the aspects that are most influential on daily practice. A brief summary of 3 ancillary commercially available genomic tests is also provided.

Oncological effect of palliative transurethral resection of the prostate in patients with advanced prostate cancer: a propensity score matching study

PURPOSE

We investigated the oncologic effect of palliative transurethral resection of the prostate (pTURP) in patients with prostate cancer who received primary androgen deprivation therapy.

METHODS

We reviewed 614 patients, including 83 who underwent pTURP; those with incidental prostate cancer were excluded. Patients were divided into the TURP group and non-TURP group. Propensity score matching was performed for comorbidity, initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA), TNM stage, and Gleason score (GS). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to confirm castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). Cox regression was performed to confirm factors affecting CSS.

RESULTS

Before matching, the TURP group had a worse TNM stage (p < 0.01) and GS (p = 0.028) and larger prostate volume (50.1 vs. 39.0 cc, p = 0.005) than the non-TURP group. The most common reason for pTURP was acute urinary retention. After matching, the TURP group showed worse outcomes in CRPC (p = 0.003), CSS (p = 0.003), and OS (p = 0.026). In multivariate analysis, factors for predicting CSS were a positive core percent [hazard ratio (HR) 1.015, p = 0.0272], GS (10 vs. ≤8; HR 6.716, p = 0.0008), and TURP within 3 months after biopsy (HR 2.543, p = 0.0482). The resection weight (HR 1.000, p = 0.9730), resection time (HR 1.000, p = 0.3670), and blood transfusion (HR 0.630, p = 0.1860) were not associated with CSS.

CONCLUSIONS

The oncologic effect of pTURP as cytoreductive operation seems to be limited. Patients who had to receive pTURP due to cancer-related symptoms, especially early necessity of pTURP (within 3 months after biopsy), showed worse clinical courses; therefore, they should be treated more carefully and actively.

Lymphadenectomy in Gleason 7 prostate cancer: Adherence to guidelines and effect on clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND

To examine usage trends, guideline adherence, and survival data for patients undergoing lymphadenectomy (LND) at the time of radical prostatectomy (RP) for Gleason 7 prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

The SEER database was queried for all patients with nonmetastatic biopsy Gleason 7 PCa from 2004 to 2013. Distribution and trends of LND were analyzed. The Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center nomogram was applied to stratify patients based on risk of nodal disease at time of RP (<5% risk or ≥5% risk). Analyses were performed to determine covariates associated with LND receipt at time of RP and cancer-specific mortality (CSM).

RESULTS

A total of 78,641 patients with either G34 or G43 PCa underwent RP (59,194 and 19,447, respectively). Of these patients, 61.2% of G34 and 73.5% of G43 patients underwent LND. During this 10-year period, the proportion of G43 patients undergoing LND remained relatively stable, whereas the proportion of G34 patients undergoing LND ranged between 55.9% and 67.9%. Regional differences were a predictor of LND receipt regardless of risk stratification, but did not translate to higher risk of CSM. Receipt of LND was not predictive of improved CSM in any of the cohorts analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

The role of LND for Gleason 7 prostate adenocarcinoma is not yet standardized, as indicated by the variability of LND dissection rates. Receipt of LND did not improve CSM, and in G43 patients, it predicted higher CSM. As the effect of LND on CSM is uncertain, further evaluation of oncologic benefit in this patient population is warranted.

Radical Prostatectomy Findings in White Hispanic/Latino Men With NCCN Very Low-risk Prostate Cancer Detected by Template Biopsy

Radical prostatectomy (RP) outcomes have been studied in White and Black non-Hispanic men qualifying for Epstein active surveillance criteria (EASC). Herein, we first analyzed such outcomes in White Hispanic men. We studied 70 men with nonpalpable Gleason score 3+3=6 (Grade Group [GG] 1) prostate cancer (PCa) with ≤2 positive cores on biopsy who underwent RP. In 18 men, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density (PSAD) was >0.15 ng/mL/g. Three of these had insignificant and 15 had significant PCa. The remaining 52 men qualified for EASC. One patient had no PCa identified at RP. Nineteen (37%) had significant PCa defined by volume (n=7), grade (n=7), and volume and grade (n=5). Nine cases were 3+4=7 (GG 2) (5/9 [56%] with pattern 4 <5%), 2 were 3+5=8 (GG 4), and 1 was 4+5=9 (GG 5). Patients with significant PCa more commonly had anterior dominant disease (11/19, 58%) versus patients with insignificant cancer (7/33, 21%) (P=0.01). In 12 cases with higher grade at RP, the dominant tumor nodule was anterior in 6 (50%) and posterior in 6 (median volumes: 1.1 vs. 0.17 cm, respectively; P=0.01). PSA correlated poorly with tumor volume (r=0.28, P=0.049). Gland weight significantly correlated with PSA (r=0.54, P<0.001). While PSAD and PSA mass density correlated with tumor volume, only PSA mass density distinguished cases with significant disease (median, 0.008 vs. 0.012 μg/g; P=0.03). In summary, a PSAD threshold of 0.15 works well in predicting significant tumor volume in Hispanic men. EASC appear to perform better in White Hispanic men than previously reported outcomes for Black non-Hispanic and worse than in White non-Hispanic men. Significant disease is often Gleason score 3+3=6 (GG 1) PCa >0.5 cm. Significant PCa is either a larger-volume anterior disease that may be detected by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-targeted biopsy or anterior sampling of the prostate or higher-grade smaller-volume posterior disease that in most cases should not pose immediate harm and may be detected by repeat template biopsies.

Prostate cancer diagnosis using epigenetic biomarkers, 3D high-content imaging and probabilistic cell-by-cell classifiers

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) management can benefit from novel concepts/biomarkers for reducing the current 20-30% chance of false-negative diagnosis with standard histopathology of biopsied tissue.

Method

We explored the potential of selected epigenetic markers in combination with validated histopathological markers, 3D high-content imaging, cell-by-cell analysis, and probabilistic classification in generating novel detailed maps of biomarker heterogeneity in patient tissues, and PCa diagnosis. We used consecutive biopsies/radical prostatectomies from five patients for building a database of ∼140,000 analyzed cells across all tissue compartments and for model development; and from five patients and the two well-characterized HPrEpiC primary and LNCaP cancer cell types for model validation.

Results

Principal component analysis presented highest covariability for the four biomarkers 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, and alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase in the epithelial tissue compartment. The panel also showed best performance in discriminating between normal and cancer-like cells in prostate tissues with a sensitivity and specificity of 85%, correctly classified 87% of HPrEpiC as healthy and 99% of LNCaP cells as cancer-like, identified a majority of aberrant cells within histopathologically benign tissues at baseline diagnosis of patients that were later diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. Using k-nearest neighbor classifier with cells from an initial patient biopsy, the biomarkers were able to predict cancer stage and grade of prostatic tissue that occurred at later prostatectomy with 79% accuracy.

Conclusion

Our approach showed favorable diagnostic values to identify the portion and pathological category of aberrant cells in a small subset of sampled tissue cells, correlating with the degree of malignancy beyond baseline.

Prostate Cancer Grading: A Decade After the 2005 Modified Gleason Grading System

Since 1966, when Donald Gleason, MD, first proposed grading prostate cancer based on its histologic architecture, there have been numerous changes in clinical and pathologic practices relating to prostate cancer. Patterns 1 and 2, comprising more than 30% of cases in the original publications by Gleason, are no longer reported on biopsy and are rarely diagnosed on radical prostatectomy. Many of these cases may even have been mimickers of prostate cancer that were described later with the use of contemporary immunohistochemistry. The original Gleason system predated many newly described variants of prostate cancer and our current concept of intraductal carcinoma. Gleason also did not describe how to report prostate cancer on biopsy with multiple cores of cancer or on radical prostatectomy with separate tumor nodules. To address these issues, the International Society of Urological Pathology first made revisions to the grading system in 2005, and subsequently in 2014. Additionally, a new grading system composed of Grade Groups 1 to 5 that was first developed in 2013 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and subsequently validated in a large multi-institutional and multimodal study was presented at the 2014 International Society of Urological Pathology meeting and accepted both by participating pathologists as well as urologists, oncologists, and radiation therapists. In the present study, we describe updates to the grading of prostate cancer along with the new grading system.

Correlation of High Body Mass Index With More Advanced Localized Prostate Cancer at Radical Prostatectomy Is Not Reflected in PSA Level and PSA Density but Is Seen in PSA Mass

OBJECTIVES

Prostate cancer screening algorithms and preoperative nomograms do not include patients' body mass index (BMI). We evaluated outcomes at radical prostatectomy (RP) adjusted to BMI.

METHODS

Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, PSA mass, PSA density (PSAD), and RP findings were analyzed with respect to BMI in 4,926 men who underwent RP between 2005 and 2014.

RESULTS

In total, 1,001 (20.3%) men were normal weight, 2,547 (51.7%) were overweight, and 1,378 (28%) were obese. Median PSA levels (ng/mL) were normal weight, 5.0; overweight, 5.1; and obese, 5.2 (P = .094). Median PSA mass increased with increasing BMI: 15.9 vs 17.4 vs 19.4 μg (P < .001). Median PSAD was not significantly different: 0.11 vs 0.11 vs 0.11 ng/mL/g (P = .084). Median prostate weight increased with increasing BMI: 44 vs 45 vs 49 g (P < .001). Median prostatectomy tumor volume increased with increasing BMI: 3.9 vs 4.7 vs 5.9 cm(3) (P < .001). Overweight and obese patients had a higher Gleason score and more locally advanced cancer (P < .001). Frequency of positive surgical margins increased with higher BMIs (P < .001). Frequency of lymph node metastasis did not differ significantly (P = .088).

CONCLUSIONS

While BMI correlates with tumor volume, Gleason score, and extent of disease at RP, there is no routinely measured clinical parameter reflecting this. Only PSA mass highlights this correlation. Thus, BMI and potentially PSA mass should be taken into account in predictive algorithms pertaining to prostate cancer and its surgical treatment.

Overview of benign and malignant prostatic disease in Pakistani patients: a clinical and histopathological perspective

BACKGROUND

To present the overall clinical and histological perspective of benign and malignant prostatic disease as seen in our practice in the Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All consecutive prostate specimens (transurethral resection or TUR, enucleation, needle biopsies) received between July 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012 were included in the study.

RESULTS

Of the total of 785 cases, 621 (79.1%) were TUR specimens, 80 (10.2%) enucleation specimens, and 84 (10.7%) needle biopsies. Some 595 (75.8%) were benign, while 190 (24.2%) were malignant. Mean weight of BPH specimens was 19 grams and 43 grams for TUR and enucleation specimens respectively. Almost 67% of adenocarcinomas were detected on TUR or enucleation specimens. Of the above cases, 41.7% were clinically benign while 58.3% were clinically malignant. The average volume of carcinoma in all cases ranged between 60 to 65%. The average number of cores involved in needle biopsies was 5. In general, higher Gleason scores were seen in TUR/enucleation specimens than in needle biopsies. Overall, in all types of specimens, commonest Gleason score was 7, seen in 74 (38.9%) cases, followed by Gleason score 9 seen in 47 (24.7%) cases. Out of the 63 needle biopsies with carcinoma, radical prostatectomy was performed in 16 cases (25.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is extremely common and constitutes the bulk of prostate specimens. TMajority of prostatic carcinomas are still diagnosed on TUR or enucleation specimens. These included both clinically benign and clinically malignant cases. The volume of carcinoma in these specimens was quite high indicating extensive disease. Gleason scores were also generally high compared with scores from needle biopsies. Commonest Gleason score in all type of specimens was 7. Pathologic staging was possible in very few cases since radical prostatectomies are rarely performed.

Does imprint cytology improve the accuracy of transrectal prostate needle biopsy?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of imprint cytology of core needle biopsy specimens in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

METHODS

Between December 24, 2011 and May 9, 2013, patients with an abnormal DRE and/or serum PSA level of >2.5 ng/mL underwent transrectal prostate needle biopsy. Samples with positive imprint cytology but negative initial histologic exam underwent repeat sectioning and histological examination.

RESULTS

1,262 transrectal prostate needle biopsy specimens were evaluated from 100 patients. Malignant imprint cytology was found in 236 specimens (18.7%), 197 (15.6%) of which were confirmed by histologic examination, giving an initial 3.1% (n = 39) rate of discrepant results by imprint cytology. Upon repeat sectioning and histologic examination of these 39 biopsy samples, 14 (1.1% of the original specimens) were then diagnosed as malignant, 3 (0.2%) as atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP), and 5 (0.4%) as high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN). Overall, 964 (76.4%) specimens were negative for malignancy by imprint cytology. Seven (0.6%) specimens were benign by cytology but malignant cells were found on histological evaluation. On imprint cytology examination, nonmalignant but abnormal findings were seen in 62 specimens (4.9%). These were all due to benign processes. After reexamination, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, false-positive rate, false-negative rate of imprint preparations were 98.1, 96.9, 98.4, 92.8, 99.3, 1.6, 3.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Imprint cytology is valuable tool for evaluating TRUS-guided core needle biopsy specimens from the prostate. Use of imprint cytology in combination with histopathology increases diagnostic accuracy when compared with histopathologic assessment alone.

How our practice of histopathology, especially tumour pathology has changed in the last two decades: reflections from a major referral center in Pakistan

Continued advances in the field of histo-pathology (and cyto-pathology) over the past two decades have resulted in dramatic changes in the manner in which these disciplines are now practiced. This is especially true in the setting of a large university hospital where the role of pathologists as clinicians (diagnosticians), undergraduate and postgraduate educators, and researchers has evolved considerably. The world around us has changed significantly during this period bringing about a considerable change in our lifestyles and the way we live. This is the world of the internet and the world-wide web, the world of Google and Wikipedia, of Youtube and Facebook where anyone can obtain any information one desires at the push of a button. The practice of histo (and cyto) pathology has also evolved in line with these changes. For those practicing this discipline in a poor, developing country these changes have been breathtaking. This is an attempt to document these changes as experienced by histo (and cyto) pathologists practicing in the biggest center for Histopathology in Pakistan, a developing country in South Asia with a large (180 million) and ever growing population. The Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city has since its inception in the mid-1980s transformed the way histopathology is practiced in Pakistan by incorporating modern methods and rescuing histopathology in Pakistan from the primitive and outdated groove in which it was stuck for decades. It set histopathology in Pakistan firmly on the path of modernity and change which are essential for better patient management and care through accurate and complete diagnosis and more recently prognostic and predictive information as well.

Gleason score 7 adenocarcinoma of the prostate with lymph node metastases: analysis of 184 radical prostatectomy specimens

CONTEXT

Prostate cancer (PC) with lymph node metastases (LN(+)) is relatively rare, whereas it is relatively common in disease with a Gleason score (GS) 8 to 10 and virtually never seen in PC with GS 6 or less. It is most variable in GS 7 PC.

OBJECTIVE

To determine clinicopathologic features associated with GS 7 PC with LN(+) compared with a control group without lymph node metastases (LN(-)).

DESIGN

We analyzed 184 GS 7 radical prostatectomies with LN(+) and the same number of LN(-) Gleason-matched controls. The LN(+) cases were GS 3 + 4 = 7 (n = 64; 34.8%), GS 4 + 3 = 7 (n = 66; 35.9%), GS 3 + 4 = 7 with tertiary 5 (n = 10; 5.4%), and GS 4 + 3 = 7 with tertiary 5 (n = 44; 23.9%).

RESULTS

The LN(+) cases demonstrated higher average values in preoperative prostate-specific antigen (12.2 versus 8.1 ng/mL), percentage of positive biopsy cores (59.1% versus 42.9%), prostate weight (54.4 versus 49.4 g), number of LNs submitted (12.7 versus 9.4), incidence of nonfocal extraprostatic extension (82.6% versus 63.6%), tumor volume (28.9% versus 14.8%), frequency of lymphovascular invasion (78.3% versus 38.6%), intraductal spread of carcinoma (42.4% versus 20.7%), incidence of satellite tumor foci (16.4% versus 4.3%), incidence of pT3b disease (49.5% versus 14.7%), and lymphovascular invasion in the seminal vesicles (52% versus 30%). There were differences in GS 4 patterns and cytology between LN(+) and LN(-) cases, with the former having higher volumes of cribriform and poorly formed patterns, larger nuclei and nucleoli, and more-frequent macronucleoli. All P ≤ .05.

CONCLUSION

Gleason score 7 PC with LN(+) has features highlighting a more-aggressive phenotype. These features can be assessed as prognostic markers in GS 7 disease on biopsy (eg, GS 4 pattern, intraductal spread, cytology) or at radical prostatectomies (all variables), even in men without LN dissection or LN(-) disease.

Perineural invasion as a predictor of extraprostatic extension of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A systematic review of the literature was performed to assess the relationship between the presence of perineural invasion (PNI) at prostate biopsy and extraprostatic extension (EPE) of prostate cancer. In August 2012, Medline, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched. A "free-text" protocol using the terms "perineural invasion prostate cancer" was applied. Studies published only as abstracts and reports from meetings were not included in this review. In total, 341 records were retrieved from Medline, 507 from Embase, 374 from Scopus and 65 from the Web of Science database. The records were reviewed to identify studies correlating the presence of PNI with that of EPE. A cumulative analysis was conducted using Review Manager software v. 5.1 (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK). In univariate analysis, PNI showed a statistically significant association with pT3 tumours (p < 0.00001), which could be observed for both pT3a (p < 0.0001) and pT3b (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the cumulative analysis shows a statistically significant higher incidence of EPE in patients who had PNI at needle biopsy. The main limitation of the analysis was that it was not possible to perform a multivariate analysis. Further attempts to build a nomogram for the prediction of EPE could include the presence of PNI at needle biopsy.

Needle biopsy findings in prostatic adenocarcinoma: experience at a tertiary care center in a developing country

The objectives of this study are to report the findings in prostatic needle biopsies positive for cancer seen in our practice with regard to the frequency of cancer detected at various sites, the cancer volume, Gleason grade, presence of perineural invasion, and others; to correlate cancer volume with Gleason grade, perineural invasion, and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels; and to correlate Gleason grade with serum PSA levels. The study was conducted at The Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. All consecutive needle biopsies received from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, which were positive for prostatic adenocarcinoma, were included in the study. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 19.0 software package (SPSS Hong Kong Headquarters, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong). A total of 97 needle biopsies positive for carcinoma in this period were included. Prostate-specific antigen levels were available in 60.8% cases and ranged from 5.0 to 1747 ng/mL. Tumor was bilaterally present in 54.6% cases. Tumor positivity in right apex, mid, and base was 52.6%, 54.6%, and 51.5%, respectively. Tumor positivity in left apex, mid, and base was 55.7%, 63.9%, and 59.8%, respectively. Average tumor volume in right apex, mid, and base was 51.2%, 50.6%, and 49.9%, respectively. Average tumor volume in left apex, mid, and base was 49.8%, 49.1%, and 51.6%, respectively. Gleason score was 6 in 52.6% cases and 7 in 28.9% cases. Perineural invasion was positive in 46.4% cases. High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia was seen in 4 (4.1%) of 97 cases. On statistical analysis, no significant correlation was found between tumor volume and serum PSA levels. However, significant correlation was found between tumor volume and Gleason grade and between tumor volume and presence of perineural invasion. No significant correlation was found between Gleason grade and serum PSA level. To our knowledge, these are the first reported findings in prostatic needle biopsies from Pakistan. Most prostatic carcinomas in our country are still diagnosed on transurethral resection specimens, and needle biopsies are quite uncommon. Findings in needle biopsies will help in predicting adverse prognostic factors on radical prostatectomies and in planning surgery accordingly.