PURPOSE: An optimal prostate biopsy in clinical practice is based on a balance between adequate detection of clinically significant prostate cancers (sensitivity), assuredness regarding the accuracy of negative sampling (negative predictive value [NPV]), limited detection of clinically insignificant cancers, and good concordance with whole-gland surgical pathology results to allow accurate risk stratification and disease localization for treatment selection.
Inherent within this optimization is variation of the core number, location, labeling, and processing for pathologic evaluation. To date, there is no consensus in this regard. The purpose of this review is 3-fold: 1. To define the optimal number and location of biopsy cores during primary prostate biopsy among men with suspected prostate cancer, 2. To define the optimal method of labeling prostate biopsy cores for pathologic processing that will provide relevant and necessary clinical information for all potential clinical scenarios, and 3. To determine the maximal number of prostate biopsy cores allowable within a specimen jar that would not preclude accurate histologic evaluation of the tissue.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A bibliographic search covering the period up to July, 2012 was conducted using PubMed®. This search yielded approximately 550 articles. Articles were reviewed and categorized based on which of the three objectives of this review was addressed. Data was extracted, analyzed, and summarized. Recommendations based on this literature review and our clinical experience is provided.
RESULTS: The use of 10-12-core extended-sampling protocols increases cancer detection rates (CDRs) compared to traditional sextant sampling methods and reduces the likelihood that patients will require a repeat biopsy by increasing NPV, ultimately allowing more accurate risk stratification without increasing the likelihood of detecting insignificant cancers. As the number of cores increases above 12 cores, the increase in diagnostic yield becomes marginal. Only limited evidence supports the use of initial biopsy schemes involving more than 12 cores or saturation. Apical and laterally directed sampling of the peripheral zone increases CDR, reduces the need for repeat biopsies, and predicts pathological features on prostatectomy while transition-zone biopsies do not. There is little data to suggest that knowing the exact site of an individual positive biopsy core provides meaningful clinical information. However, determining laterality of cancer on biopsy may be helpful for both predicting sites of extracapsular extension and therapeutic planning. Placement of multiple biopsy cores in a single container (>2) appears to compromise pathologic evaluation, which can reduce CDR and increase the likelihood of equivocal diagnoses.
CONCLUSIONS: A 12-core systematic biopsy that incorporates apical and far-lateral cores in the template distribution allows maximal cancer detection, avoidance of a repeat biopsy, and adequate information for both identifying men who need therapy and planning that therapy while minimizing the detection of occult, indolent prostate cancers. This literature review does not provide compelling evidence that individual site-specific labeling of cores benefits clinical decision-making regarding the management of prostate cancer. Based upon the available literature, we recommend packaging no more than two cores in each jar to avoid reduction of CDR through inadequate tissue sampling.
Written by:
Bjurlin MA, Carter HB, Schellhammer P, Cookson MS, Gomella LG, Troyer D, Wheeler TM, Schlossberg S, Penson DF, Taneja SS. Are you the author?
Division of Urologic Oncology, Department of Urology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
Reference: J Urol. 2013 Feb 25. pii: S0022-5347(13)00348-0.
doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2013.02.072
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23485507
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