Can expressed prostatic secretions affect prostate biopsy decision of urologist?

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of NIH category IV prostatitis, and the use of expressed prostatic secretions tests in an effort to improve the reliability of prostate specific antigen as an indicator, to avoid unnecessary prostate biopsy. Materials and Methods: 178 expressed prostatic secretion positive patients with serum prostate specific antigen levels of ≥ 2.5 ng / mL were included in present prospective study. The diagnostic evaluation included detailed history and physical examination, digital rectal examination, urine analysis, urine culture, and expressed prostatic secretions tests. Transrectal ultrasonography was used both to measure prostate volume and conduct 12 core prostate biopsy. Results: The prevalence of NIH category IV prostatitis was 36.9% (178 / 482) in our population of men. In our study patients (n: 178) prostate biopsy results were classified as; 66 prostatitis, 81 BPH, and 31 Pca. In asymptomatic prostatitis group, expressed prostatic secretion mean leucocyte ratio was higher compared to other two groups (p < 0.0001). The relation between number of expressed prostatic secretion leucocytes and prostatitis, benign prostate hyperplasia, and prostate cancer is analyzed. If 16 is taken as the cut of number for leucocyte presence, its sensitivity is 0.92 (AUC = 0.78 p = 0.01). Conclusions: The number of leucocytes in expressed prostatic secretion is higher in the chronic prostatitis group. If the leukocyte presence of 16 and above is taken as the cut off point, the sensitivity becomes 0.92 (AUC = 0.78). We firmly believe that our new cut off value may be used as to aid prostate specific antigen and derivates while giving biopsy decision.

Chronic prostatitis alters the prostatic microenvironment and accelerates preneoplastic lesions in C57BL/6 mice

BACKGROUND: Chronic prostatitis has been supposed to be associated with preneoplastic lesions and cancer development. The objective of this study was to examine how chronic inflammation results in a prostatic microenvironment and gene mutation in C57BL/6 mice. METHODS: Immune and bacterial prostatitis mouse models were created through abdominal subcutaneous injection of rat prostate extract protein immunization (EAP group) or transurethral instillation of uropathogenic E. coli 1677 (E. coli group). Prostate histology, serum cytokine level, and genome-wide exome (GWE) sequences were examined 1, 3, and 6 months after immunization or injection. RESULT: In the EAP and E. coli groups, immune cell infiltrations were observed in the first and last months of the entire experiment. After 3 months, obvious proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) were observed accompanied with fibrosis hyperplasia in stroma. The decrease in basal cells (Cytokeratin (CK) 5+/p63+) and the accumulation of luminal epithelial cells (CK8+) in the PIA or PIN area indicated that the basal cells were damaged or transformed into different luminal cells. Hic1, Zfp148, and Mfge8 gene mutations were detected in chronic prostatitis somatic cells. CONCLUSION: Chronic prostatitis induced by prostate extract protein immunization or E. coli infection caused a reactive prostatic inflammation microenvironment and resulted in tissue damage, aberrant atrophy, hyperplasia, and somatic genome mutation.

The relationship between histological prostatitis and lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual function

ABSTRACT This prospective analysis assessed the effect of histological prostatitis on lower urinary tract functions and sexual function. The patients were separated into two groups as histologically observed prostatitis (Group A) and no prostatitis (Group B) according to the biopsy outcomes. International prostate symptom score, international index of erectile function-5 scores, maximal and average flow rate, and residual urine volumes were compared statistically between groups. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in baseline age (t=0.64), body mass index value (t=0.51), prostate volume (t=0.87), prostate-specific antigen levels (t=0.43), maximal (t=0.84) and average flow rate (t=0.59), and post-void residual urine volume (t=0.71). Mean international prostate symptom score in patients with prostatitis was numerically but not significantly higher than that in those without prostatitis (t=0.794, P=0.066). Mean international index of erectile function-5 score in the prostatitis group was significantly lower than that in those without prostatitis (t=1.854, P=0.013). Histological prostatitis notably affected sexual function of patients and may serve as a major risk factor for sexual dysfunction while having little effect on lower urinary tract symptoms.

Is there any association between National Institute of Health category IV prostatitis and prostate-specific antigen levels in patients with low-risk localized prostate cancer?

ABSTRACT Purpose We investigated the association between National Institute of Health category IV prostatitis and prostate-specific antigen levels in patients with low-risk localized prostate cancer. Materials and Methods The data of 440 patients who had undergone prostate biopsies due to high PSA levels and suspicious digital rectal examination findings were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of accompanying NIH IV prostatitis. The exclusion criteria were as follows: Gleason score>6, PSA level>20ng/mL, >2 positive cores, >50% cancerous tissue per biopsy, urinary tract infection, urological interventions at least 1 week previously (cystoscopy, urethral catheterization, or similar procedure), history of prostate biopsy, and history of androgen or 5-alpha reductase use. All patient's age, total PSA and free PSA levels, ratio of free to total PSA, PSA density and prostate volume were recorded. Results In total, 101 patients were included in the study. Histopathological examination revealed only PCa in 78 (77.2%) patients and PCa+NIH IV prostatitis in 23 (22.7%) patients. The median total PSA level was 7.4 (3.5–20.0) ng/mL in the PCa+NIH IV prostatitis group and 6.5 (0.6–20.0) ng/mL in the PCa group (p=0.67). The PSA level was≤10ng/mL in 60 (76.9%) patients in the PCa group and in 16 (69.6%) patients in the PCa+NIH IV prostatitis group (p=0.32). Conclusions Our study showed no statistically significant difference in PSA levels between patients with and without NIH IV prostatitis accompanying PCa.

Impacto del uso de antibióticos en el valor de PSA, previo a la biopsia de prostata / Impact of antibiotic use in prostate-specific antigen levels before prostate biopsy

Existen observaciones clínicas sobre el uso empírico de antibióticos en pacientes con alto nivel de PSA, sin síntomas de infecciones del tracto urinario y con indicación de biopsia prostática. El uso indiscriminado de antibióticos puede llevar a la resistencia bacteriana y diversos efectos secundarios; pero sobre todo, esto puede ser una acción médica injustificada. El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar el impacto del uso de antibióticos en los valores de PSA antes de la biopsia prostática y en la decisión de si hacer o no una biopsia prostática en pacientes con sospecha de neoplasia prostática. Estudio de casos y controles de 63 pacientes menores de 80 años de edad, con tacto rectal normal, sin infección urinaria y los valores de PSA alterado con indicación de biopsia. El grupo de control no recibió medicamento y el grupo de casos recibió cotrimoxazol (80/400 mg) cada 12 horas durante 10 días. Quince días más tarde los niveles de PSA se evaluaron de nuevo y los resultados se analizaron estadísticamente. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en relación con la edad, tacto rectal o el valor de PSA. La variación de la PSA después del uso de la terapia con antibióticos no fue significativa (p = 0,588). El uso de la terapia antimicrobiana para disminuir los valores de PSA antes de una biopsia de próstata es controvertido y no hay evidencia científica para el tratamiento de una prostatitis asintomática que pueden estar alterando los valores de PSA. Los resultados de nuestro estudio muestran la necesidad de una investigación más compleja que puede confirmar que la terapia antimicrobiana no tiene un papel terapéutico en esta situación específica y común...

There is a clinical observation about the empiric use of antibiotics on patients with high PSA level, without symptoms of urinary tract infections and with indication for prostatic biopsy. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics may lead to bacterial resistance and various others side effects as well; but above all, this may be an unjustified medical action. The objective of this research is to determinate the impact of antibiotic use on PSA values before prostatic biopsy and on the decision whether make or not a prostatic biopsy in patients suspected of having prostatic cancer. Case and control study of 63 patients younger than 80 years old, with normal rectal tact, without symptoms of urinary tract infection and PSA values altered with biopsy indication. Control group did not receive medicament and the case group received Cotrimoxazole (80/400 mg) every 12 hours for 10 days. 15 days later PSA levels were evaluated again and the results were statistically analyzed. No significant differences were found between both groups in relation to age or PSA value. The variation of the PSA after the use of antibiotic therapy was no significant (p=0,588). The use of antimicrobial therapy to decrease the values of PSA before a prostate biopsy is controversial and there isn’t scientific evidence to treat a possible asyntomatic prostatitis that may be altering the PSA values. The results of our study shows the need of a more complex research that can confirm that the antimicrobial therapy has no therapeutic role on this specific and common situation...

Effects of prostatic inflammation on LUTS and alpha blocker treatment outcomes

Purpose To evaluate the association between prostatic inflammation and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and to identify the effects of prostatic inflammation on the treatment with an alpha blocker. Materials and Methods 111 Participants who were aged ≥ 50 years, the presence of LUTS (maximal flow rate < 20 m/s, IPSS ≥ 11), and an elevated PSA level (3-20ng/mL) were treated with tamsulosin 0.2mg once daily for 3 months after prostate biopsies. Prostatic inflammation was scored as none (0), mild (I), moderate (II), or marked (III). LUTS parameters including urine flow rates, IPSS, PSA, and prostate volume were evaluated. Results Inflammation grading resulted in 25, 60, and 26 patients that were grade 0, I, and II, respectively. Lower grade inflammation was related to higher urine flow rate at baseline. Patients with higher inflammation grades had larger prostate volumes, larger total and transitional zone volumes, and higher PSA levels. Overall, urine flow rates and residual urine volume were improved after 3 months of alpha blocker therapy. Eighty percent of patients with grade 0 inflammation, 73% of patients with grade I inflammation, and 92.3% of patients with grade II inflammation showed improvement of LUTS after treatment. Longer duration of treatment was related to a decreased chance of improvement of LUTS. Patients with increased IPSS voiding subscales could be predictive of improvement of LUTS. Conclusions Patients with high grade inflammation had lower flow rates and higher prostatic volumes than patients with low grade inflammation. Inflammation grade did not affect the outcomes of alpha blocker treatment. .

Effects of Serenoa Repens, Selenium and Lycopene (Profluss®) on chronic inflammation associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: results of “FLOG” (Flogosis and Profluss in Prostatic and Genital Disease), a multicentre Italian study

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Profluss® on prostatic chronic inflammation (PCI). Materials and Methods We prospectively enrolled 168 subjects affected by LUTS due to bladder outlet obstruction submitted to 12 cores prostatic biopsy for suspected prostate cancer + 2 cores collected for PCI valuation. First group consisted of 108 subjects, with histological diagnosis of PCI associated with BPH and high grade PIN and/or ASAP, randomly assigned to 1:1 ratio to daily Profluss® (group I) for 6 months or to control group (group Ic). Second group consisted of 60 subjects, with histological diagnosis of BPH, randomly assigned to 1:1 ratio to daily Profluss® + α-blockers treatment (group II) for 3 months or to control group (group IIc). After 6 months first group underwent 24 cores prostatic re-biopsy + 2 cores for PCI while after 3 months second group underwent two-cores prostatic for PCI. Specimens were evaluated for changes in inflammation parameters and for density of T-cells (CD3, CD8), B-cells (CD20) and macrophages (CD68). Results At follow-up there were statistical significant reductions of extension and grading of flogosis, mean values of CD20, CD3, CD68 and mean PSA value in group I compared to Ic, while extension and grading of flogosis in group II were inferior to IIc but not statistical significant. A statistically significant reduction in the density of CD20, CD3, CD68, CD8 was demonstrated in group II in respect to control IIc. Conclusions Serenoa repens+Selenium+Lycopene may have an anti-inflammatory activity that could be of interest in the treatment of PCI in BPH and/or PIN/ASAP patients. .

P2X7 receptor mediates activation of microglial cells in prostate of chemically irritated rats

Purpose Evidence shows that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is involved in the transmission of multiple chronic pain via P2X7 receptor. This study was to investigate the P2X7 and microglial cells in the chronic prostatitis pain. Materials and Methods Rats were divided into control group and chronic prostatitis group (n = 24 per group). A chronic prostatitis animal model was established by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) to the prostate of rats, and the thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) was detected on days 0, 4, 12 and 24 (n = 6 at each time point in each group). Animals were sacrificed and the pathological examination of the prostate, detection of mRNA expression of P2X7 and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA-1) and measurement of content of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the dorsal horn of L5-S2 spinal cord were performed on days 0, 4, 12 and 24. In addition, the content of TNF-α and IL-1β in the dorsal horn of L5-S2 spinal cord was measured after intrathecal injection of inhibitors of microglial cells and/or P2X7 for 5 days. Results The chronic prostatitis was confirmed by pathological examination. The expression of P2X7 and IBA-1 and the content of TNF-α and IL-1β in rats with chronic prostatitis were significantly higher than those in the control group. On day 4, the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines became to increase, reaching a maximal level on day 12 and started to reduce on day 24, but remained higher than that in the control group. Following suppression of microglial cells and P2X7 receptor, the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1β was markedly reduced. Conclusion In chronic prostatitis pain, the microglial cells and P2X7 receptor are activated resulting in the increased expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in the L5-S2 spinal cord, which might attribute to the maintenance and intensification of pain in chronic prostatitis. .

Prostatic atrophy: clinicopathological significance

Prostatic atrophy is a benign lesion that may mimic adenocarcinoma histologically and on imaging. It is more frequent in the peripheral zone and has gained importance with the increasing use of needle biopsies. Diffuse atrophy occurs secondarily to radiotherapy and/or endocrine therapy. Inflammation and/or chronic local ischemia may cause focal atrophy with an increasing frequency in age. Atrophy may be classified morphologically into diffuse and focal. The latter may be partial, complete or combined. Partial focal atrophy is the most frequent mimicker of adenocarcinoma on needle biopsies. Complete focal atrophy may be subtyped into simple, sclerotic and hyperplastic (or postatrophic hyperplasia). Combined lesions are frequent and partial atrophy may precede complete atrophy. The several morphologic types of focal atrophy may represent a morphologic continuum and the hyperplastic (or postatrophic hyperplasia) subtype seems to be at the extreme end of this continuum. Chronic inflammation associated to focal atrophy (proliferative inflammatory atrophy) has been linked to high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and/or carcinoma. This link, however, remains controversial in the literature. The question whether inflammation directly produces tissue damage and atrophy or some other insult induces atrophy directly, with inflammation occurring secondarily, is still unresolved. An intriguing finding that needs further studies is a possible association of extent of atrophy to serum PSA elevation.

Study of prostatic specific antigen versus prostatic biopsy in the diagnosis of prostatic diseases

The majority [60 to 65%] of patients undergoing prostate needle biopsies for abnormal PSA and/or digital rectal examination will not have adenocarcinoma on pathological examination. Benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH] and prostatitis are causes of PSA elevation. We elected to evaluate the distribution of malignant and non-malignant conditions in patients undergoing prostate needle biopsies. Six hundred and fifty consecutive patients underwent 12 cores Trans rectal Ultrasound [TRUS] guided prostate needle biopsies. None had clinical prostatitis. Prostate volume was measured during the Trus. Pathological examination focused on the presence of normal prostate, BPH, prostatitis and cancer in every core. Patients were stratified into two groups [G] according to digital rectal examination [D. R. E] [G I: Suspicious [+ve DRE], 500 patients or G II: Normal [-ve D.R E], 150 patients. Prostatic volume ranged between 20-135 ml with a median of 43m1. The distribution of cancer, prostatitis, BPH, and abscess on pathology were 177 pts [27%] with a median volume of 36m1, 130 pts [20%] with median volume of 59m;, 307 pts [47.5%] with a median volume of 42ml. and 36 pts [5.5%] with a median volume of 51ml respectively. The majority of pathology on biopsy in patients with suspected prostate cancer is nonmalignant with EPH. Being the most common [47.5%] and prostatitis a significant finding [20%]. Prostatic volume was not a factor in predicting outcome, Except for prostatitis, as expected the higher the PSA, the higher the incidence of prostate cancer

Prostatitis: ¿infección, alteración neuromuscular o síndrome doloroso? La adecuada clasificación del paciente es clave / Prostatitis: infection, altered or neuromuscular pain syndrome? The proper classification of the patient is key

La prostatitis en un término muy amplio utilizado para describir la inflamación de la próstata con una variedad de síntoma urinarios bajos, molestias en la actividad sexual y disfunción. Es una condición que afecta entre el 5 y 10 por cien de la población masculina y es el diagnostico urológico más común en menores de 50 años. La prostatitis se clasifica en cuatro categorías, incluyendo sus formas aguda y crónica bacterianas, una crónica abacteriana y una asintomática. Las formas bacterianas son más fáciles de diagnosticar y tratar, pero no es usual que los síntomas del paciente estén claramente relacionados con una condición infecciosa, tanto así que la prostatitis crónica abacteriana (también conocida como síndrome de dolor pélvico crónico), es la forma más prevalente y menos entendida, así como también es la que implica un mayor reto diagnóstico y terapéutico. Esta forma de prostatitis puede responder a terapias no centradas en la próstata como terapia física, liberación de puntos gatillo miofasciales y terapias de relajación. Teniendo en cuenta que hay múltiples formas de prostatitis, es necesario tener presentes las múltiples modalidades terapéuticas, hacer un enfoque diagnostico apropiado y hacer un diagnóstico diferencial adecuado , con miras a tener un manejo efectivo.

Hiperplasia prostática benigna gigante-prostatitis: a propósito de un caso: Hospital Patrocinio Peñuela Ruíz mayo 2007 / Benign prostatic hyperplasia giant-prostatitis: a purpose of a case: Hospital Patrocinio Peñuela Ruíz may 2007

La hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB) se observa un aumento de estroma, aunque existen diferencias morfológicas de un individuo a otro. Es un crecimiento no maligno de la glándula prostática, debido a un excesivo crecimiento celular de los dos componentes prostáticos, componente epitelial-glandular y componente estromal-músculo liso, con una disminución del índice apoptósico. Es importante destacar que el tamaño de la próstata, no se correlaciona con el grado de intensidad en los síntomas. Los factores de riego principalmente se asocian son: raza, nivel socieconómico, actividad sexual, vasectomía, alcohol hepatopatias (CIH), tabaquismo e hipertensión y la Dieta.

Inflammatory atrophy on prostate needle biopsies: is there topographic relationship to cancer?

INTRODUCTION: Chronic inflammation of longstanding duration has been linked to the development of carcinoma in several organ systems. It is controversial whether there is any relationship of inflammatory atrophy to prostate cancer. It has been suggested that the proliferative epithelium in inflammatory atrophy may progress to high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and/or adenocarcinoma. The objective of our study is to compare on needle prostate biopsies of patients showing cancer the topographical relation of inflammatory atrophy and atrophy with no inflammation to adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The frequency and extent of the lesions were studied on 172 needle biopsies of patients with prostate cancer. In cores showing both lesions, the foci of atrophy were counted. Clinicopathological features were compared according to presence or absence of inflammation. RESULTS: Considering only cores showing adenocarcinoma, atrophy was seen in 116/172 (67.44 percent) biopsies; 70/116 (60.34 percent) biopsies showed atrophy and no inflammation and 46/116 (39.66 percent) biopsies showed inflammatory atrophy. From a total of 481 cores in 72 biopsies with inflammatory atrophy 184/481 (38.25 percent) cores showed no atrophy; 166/481 (34.51 percent) cores showed atrophy and no inflammation; 111/481 (23.08 percent) cores showed both lesions; and 20/481 (4.16 percent) showed only inflammatory atrophy. There was no statistically significant difference for the clinicopathological features studied. CONCLUSION: The result of our study seems not to favor the model of prostatic carcinogenesis in which there is a topographical relation of inflammatory atrophy to adenocarcinoma.

Biopsias prostáticas ecodirigidas: experiencias del Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río / Ecoguided prostatic biopsies: experiences at the Hospital Sótero del Río

El objetivo de esta revisión es analizar los datos recopilados de todas las biopsias prostáticas transrectales ecodirigidas realizadas en nuestro servicio. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de todas las biopsias prostáticas transrectales ecodirigidas realizadas en el Servicio de Urología del Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río desde enero de 1999 a mayo de 2001. El procedimiento fue indicado por tacto rectal sospechoso y/o antígeno prostático > de 4 ng/ml. En el período estudiado se realizaron 302 biopsias prostáticas transrectales ecodirigidas. El rango de edad de los pacientes fue de 42 a 89 años, con un promedio de 68,4 años. El 61 por ciento de los pacientes biopsiados son < de 70 años. El 86 por ciento de los pacientes estudiados presentan APE > de 4. El 45 por ciento de los pacientes presentan tacto rectal sospechoso, de estos el 30 por ciento presentaban al menos un nódulo al tacto. La Anatomía patológica demostró Adenocarcinoma prostático en 31,5 por ciento de los casos (95 pac), Prostatitis Crónica en 38,4 por ciento, Hiperplasia Nodular Prostática en 16,9 por ciento, PIN de alto grado en 7,3 por ciento y 5,3 por ciento de las biopsias fueron informadas como normales. El índice de detección de cáncer fue de 31,5 por ciento. Presentan tacto rectal sospechoso 136 pacientes, hallándose en ellos 66 biopsias positivas para cáncer (VPP 48,9 por ciento). En 268 pacientes que presentan APE > 4 ng/ml se encontraron 87 biopsias positivas para cáncer (VPP 32,5 por ciento). En relación a la ecografía transrectal esta fue catalogada como alterada (una o más zonas hipoecóicas) en 68 casos, hallando en ellas 30 biopsias positivas para cáncer (VPP 44,1 por ciento). La combinación de tacto rectal sospechoso y APE > 4 ng/ml se presentó en 106 pacientes, en ellos se detectaron 61 biopsias positivas para cáncer (VPP 57,5 por ciento). Los tres parámetros estudiados se encontraron alterados en 30 pacientes, encontrándose 22 biopsias positivas para cáncer (VPP 73,3 por ciento). En nuestra serie no observa mayor por ciento de detección de cáncer al aumentar el número de muestras tomadas en la biopsia (> de 6 y < de 6), especialmente estudiado en el grupo de pacientes con tacto rectal no sospechoso y APE entre 4 y 20 ng/ml. El hallazgo de Ecografía transrectal alterada determinó una mayor detección de cáncer en las biopsias. No hubo mortalidad asociada al procedimiento en la serie...

Contenido bacteriano del tejido prostático obtenido mediante, resección transuretral / Bacterial content of the prostatic gland obtained by means of transurethral resection

Este trabajo muestra la colonización bacteriana del tejido de la glándula prostática en condiciones que asemejen a la normalidad.Realizamos un estudio prospectivo con 45 pacientes sometidos a resección transuretral. Se realizó cultivo corriente de tejido prostático, resultando positivo en 25 porciento de las muestras.Los gérmenes Gram (+) fueron lo más frecuentes.La presencia de inflamación prostática se asoció a presencia bacteriana en 22 porciento.Este hecho apoya la hipótesis de la etiología autoinmune de las prostatitis.

Hypoechoic Rim of Chronically Inflamed Prostate, as Seen at TRUS: Histopathologic Findings

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to correlate the findings of peripheral hypoechoic rim, seen at transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in chronic prostatitis patients, with the histopthologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients with pathologically proven chronic prostatitis were involved in this study. The conspicuity of the peripheral hypoechoic prostatic rim, seen at TRUS, was prominent and subtle, and to determine its histopathologic nature, the microscopic findings were reviewed. RESULTS: In five of seven cases (71%), TRUS demonstrated a prominent peripheral hypoechoic rim. Microscopic examination revealed that inflammatory cell infiltration of prostatic glandular tissue was severe in three cases (42.9%), moderate in two (28.6%), and minimal in two (28.6%). In all seven cases, the common histopathologic findings of peripheral hypoechoic rim on TRUS were loose stromal tissues, few prostatic glands, and sparse infiltration by inflammatory cells. CONCLUSION: The peripheral hypoechoic rim accompanying prostatic inflammation and revealed by TRUS reflects a sparsity of prostate glandular tissue and is thought to be an area in which inflammatory cell infiltration is minimal.

Cytohistomorphology of prostatic lesions--by FNAC & scrape methods.

A pilot study of transrectal fine needle aspiration biopsy was conducted in 44 patients, above the age of 50 years, who presented with features of obstructive uropathy during a one year period between August 1990 and April 1991. Histopathological study was carried out in 23 out of 44 patients, who underwent total prostatectomy or transurethral resection following the aspiration biopsy procedure. In 21 patients FNAB by the transrectal route could not be obtained because of technical difficulties; therefore intraoperative scrape cytology was studied prior to histopathology, of the fresh prostatic specimen. A good cytohistopathological correlation was obtained by both methods; an accuracy of 95.6% and 95.2% with FNAC and scrape respectively. A wide range of benign and malignant lesions were studied.

Transrectal fine needle aspiration cytology of granulomatous prostatitis.

Transrectal fine needle aspiration cytology by Franzen technique was carried out from January, 1985 till January, 1992 on 567 patients having prostatomegaly which were suspicious of malignancy by clinical per rectal examination. Granulomatous prostatitis was diagnosed in 56 cases. Analysis showed 34 cases were tuberculous prostatitis and 22 cases were nonspecific granulomatous prostatitis. Comparison of aspiration cytology with bacteriological study of the aspirated material and histopathology showed correct diagnosis of granulomatous prostatitis by fine needle aspiration. The findings indicate that transrectal fine needle aspiration cytology is a reliable procedure for diagnosis of granulomatous prostatitis which can clinically mimic prostatic malignancy when it presents as a diffuse or nodular enlargement with firm to hard consistency.