Influence of blood transfusions during radical retropubic prostatectomy on disease outcome.

OBJECTIVES: Blood transfusion in patients with malignant neoplasms may alter the disease outcome because of a theoretical immunomodulatory effect. This effect may reduce prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-free and disease-specific survival in patients with prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. However, the results in published studies have been contradictory, and this effect has not yet been determined. METHODS: We evaluated 1412 patients after radical prostatectomy from 1984 to 2003 in a retrospective analysis, with a special focus on the rate and type of blood transfusions, specifically heterologous versus autologous blood. Univariate analysis and Cox regression analysis were performed to evaluate the impact of blood transfusions on disease outcome. RESULTS: The overall transfusion rate was 56.7%. The rate dropped from 88.9% in 1988 to 9.1% in 2002. PSA recurrence (greater than 0.5 ng/mL) was noted in 11.0% in patients without and in 26.0% with blood transfusions, which was not statistically significant on Kaplan-Meier analysis. Again, no difference was noted when patients were stratified according to the type (autologous versus heterologous) or the amount (2 U or less versus more than 2 U) of blood transfusion. Evaluating overall survival, again no differences were found. The established Cox regression model also proved that blood transfusions had no impact on disease outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective analysis did not detect any effect of blood transfusions in patients with prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. If a negative adverse effect occurs, this effect must be minimal. However, the infectious risk and the costs of blood transfusions should be reason enough to reduce blood loss and the transfusion rate further in patients with prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer volume -- can it be predicted preoperatively?

INTRODUCTION: The prostate cancer volume (PCvol) is described as a significant predictor for tumor progression after radical prostatectomy, but its determination has not become a routine procedure yet due to high demands on technical standards, labor intensity, and costs. The objective of this study is to predict the PCvol by using common preoperative variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2001, 365 whole-mounted prostatectomy specimens, processed according to the Stanford protocol, were used for computerized reconstruction of the total PCvol. Widely accepted preoperative variables such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination findings, and Gleason score and grading (WHO) of the biopsy cores were correlated and analyzed for a relation to the PCvol by Spearman rho method and Mann-Whitney U test. Integrating these parameters in a multiple linear regression model, independent variables predicting the PCvol were determined, multiplied by their risk factors, and used for calculation of the estimated PCvol. In order to evaluate the precision of our results, we correlated measured and estimated tumor volumes. A nomogram was constructed, in order to visualize our results. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed categorized PSA, grading (WHO), and Gleason score to be independent predictors for the PCvol. The estimated PCvol ranged from 0.5 to 9.8 cm(3) and the measured PCvol from 0.02 to 53 cm(3). An identical mean value of 4.1 cm(3) was observed. The Spearman rho method showed a highly significant correlation (coefficient = 0.5) between estimated and measured PCvol (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PCvol is regarded as a significant predictive parameter of tumor progression after radical prostatectomy, but due to its time-consuming determination, it has not become a routine procedure yet. Currently used preoperative parameters such as PSA and grading (WHO) and Gleason score of the biopsy cores do predict the total tumor volume. These results were reconfirmed by correlation analysis. Consequently, by use of our nomogram, the labor-intensive measurement of the PCvol becomes unnecessary.

Optimization of prostatic biopsy: a prospective randomized trial comparing the sextant biopsy with a 10-core biopsy. Impact of prostatic region of sampling.

OBJECTIVE: New prostatic biopsy protocols suggest to increase the core numbers to enhance detection. Additional cores are usually sampled from the lateral part of the p-zone. We direct the sextant biopsy to the most lateral part of the p-zone, therefore we investigated if there is a gain by adding 4 median biopsy cores. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective randomized trial (n = 200) compared our modified sextant biopsy to a 10-core strategy with 2 additional median cores on both sides. Directed biopsies to suspicious areas were allowed in both groups. Morbidity was assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: PC detection was 32% for 6 cores and 40% for 10 cores. Four patients were detected only by median biopsies. Using the binomial distribution table the gain of 4% is statistically significant. There was no statistical difference in morbidity, but a trend towards a higher rate of side effects in the 10-core group. CONCLUSIONS: The gain in prostate cancer detection rate by additional median biopsies is low, but statistically significant. There is no difference in morbidity and patient acceptance is high, therefore we favor the 10-core biopsy in our patients.

Influence of transrectal ultrasound probe on prostate cancer detection in transrectal ultrasound-guided sextant biopsy of prostate.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether end-fire probes increase the prostate cancer (PCa) detection rate. Enhancing the PCa detection rate is the main goal of biopsy protocols. Prostate biopsy is limited by side-fire probes to a longitudinal axis, but end-fire probes allow biopsy cores to also be taken in the transverse section. METHODS: A total of 2625 patients underwent systematic sextant biopsy in three institutions using the same protocol. Three different ultrasound probes were used-the Kretz Combisone and Bruel & Kjaer side-fire probes and the ATL HDI end-fire probe. We retrospectively evaluated the influence of the probe on the PCa detection rate. RESULTS: The Kretz probe was used in 384 men, the Bruel & Kjaer probe in 598 men, and the ATL probe in 1643 men. Overall, 35.2% had PCa detected. Analyzing all patients, no statistically significant difference (P = 0.73) was found for the probes, but the subgroup with a prostate-specific antigen level of 4 to 10 ng/mL demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the detection rate using the end-fire probe (31.3% versus 24.5% and 21.5% for the side-fire probes, P = 0.01). Patients with nonpalpable PCa also demonstrated a statistically significant increase in detection with the end-fire probe (P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the ultrasound probe is an independent parameter to enhance the PCa detection rate. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that end-fire probes provide a statistically significant improvement in the PCa detection rate compared with side-fire probes in patients with a prostate-specific antigen level of 4 to 10 ng/mL and nonpalpable disease. The reason could be the facilitated sampling in the most lateral part of the peripheral zone. Our results suggest that the widespread use of end-fire probes for prostate biopsy could enhance the PCa detection rate.

Residual benign prostatic glands at the urethrovesical anastomosis after radical retropubic prostatectomy: prediction and impact on disease outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized prostate cancer (PC) is the first evidence of disease recurrence. If residual benign prostatic glands are left behind on RP a theoretical PSA production from benign glands or residual neoplastic tissue could explain PSA failure. This study investigates the prediction and impact on disease outcome of residual benign glands at the urethrovesical anastomosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 802 patients who underwent RP were retrospectively evaluated with special focus on residual benign glands (B+) at the urethrovesical anastomosis. B-status was defined from a biopsy of the urethral stump at 9, 12 and 3 o'clock position. RESULTS: From 802 patients 73.6% were classified as B+, 26.4% B0. 92.0% of B+ patients demonstrated only isolated glands (B1), 8.0% showed abundant glands (B2). There was no difference in disease outcome for B0 and B+ patients. Patients with early PC who are candidates for nerve sparing procedures are more likely for B+ status. CONCLUSIONS: Benign prostatic glands at the apical margin of the RP specimen are a common finding, but neither isolated nor abundant glands have an impact on disease outcome. We think that a precise apical dissection to improve continence rates is possible, although these patients are at risk for residual benign tissue at the apex.

Morbidity of prostatic biopsy for different biopsy strategies: is there a relation to core number and sampling region?

OBJECTIVES: The standard sextant prostatic biopsy is a safe procedure associated with low morbidity. Newer biopsy protocols suggest an increase in core numbers or sampling in distinct areas. In this respect we investigated the morbidity of different biopsy regimens. METHODS: Morbidity was assessed using self-administered questionnaires 1 week and 1 month after biopsy in a prospective randomized trial of 405 men with three different biopsy protocols. We compared a sextant biopsy regimen to a 10-core biopsy strategy, as well as patients with a re-biopsy including t-zone sampling. We investigated pain during and after biopsy, gross hematuria, rectal bleeding, hematospermia, fever and chills. RESULTS: There is a trend towards a more painful biopsy and higher rate of side effects if the number of core samples is increased, this difference did not reach statistical significance. There was no increase in severity of side effects. Regarding the rate and severity of side effects of biopsy strategies to different areas of the prostate we could not find a difference. About 95% of patients would accept a repeat biopsy based on their experience on first biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity of transrectal prostatic biopsy is low and increasing the number of cores correlates with a minor and statistically not significant increase in the rate of side effects. Transrectal sextant prostatic biopsy and extensive biopsy protocols are generally well tolerated and widely accepted from patients.