Evaluation of the pathologic results of prostate biopsies in terms of age, Gleason score and PSA level: Our experience and review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the pathologic and clinic results of our large series of transrectal prostate biopsies in relation to Gleason score, age and PSA level. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the pathologic results of transrectal prostate biopsies performed because of high PSA levels and abnormal digital rectal examination findings between January 2008 and February 2012. Results: The pathologic result of 835 prostate biopsies was benign in 82.2% and malign in 17.8%. Furthermore in 3.7% high grade PIN (Prostatic Intraepitelial Neoplasia) or ASAP (Atypical Small Acinar Proliferation) was shown. In the interval of total PSA values between 4 and 10 ng/dl, that is thw so-called grey zone, cancer detection rate was 12.4%. There was a significant relationship between cancer detection and cancer stage at all high levels of PSA also in the grey zone. The most common Gleason score observed was 3 + 3 wirh a rate of 7.4% whereas the second most commonly observed scare was 3 + 4 with a rate of 2.5%. In the patients with abnormal digital rectal examination findings but normal PSA levels according to age the cancer detection rate was 8.7%, in patients with only high PSA levels the rate was 41.2% and in the patients with both high PSA levels and abnormal digital rectal examination findings. the rate was 49.3%. Conclusion: Our study underlines the relationship between age, PSA level and pathologic stage of prostate cancer and also the importance of digital rectal examination.

Keywords

• Prostate biopsy
• Gleason score
• Prostate specific antigen