ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of prostatic biopsies (PB) by studying the mean biopsy length (Lm) and its impact on the result. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Prospective study on 78 consecutive PBs (extended 10 biopsy protocol) performed for PSA > 4 and < or = 12 ng/ml. Biopsy reports were standardized and computerized and indicated a global PB quality criterion and Lm. Biopsies were classified by Lm. The presence of carcinoma was studied in each group. RESULTS: The mean age was 67.5 years (50-80). The mean Lm of PB described as good quality (46.15%) was 11.8 mm (8.5-13.8) versus 6.6 mm (2.1-10.7) for the other PBs (53.85%) (p< 0.001). Lm was < 8 mm for 38% of PBs and > or = 12 mm for 23%. 31.8% of PBs with Lm < 10 mm detected a cancer versus 41.2% of PBs with Lm > or = 10 mm (p>0.1). The mean cumulative length of carcinomatous sites of positive PBs with Lm < 10 mm was 9.42 mm (1-39) versus 18.42 min (1-60) for Lm > or = 10 mm (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A standardized protocol does not guarantee the quality of PB. Lm is an objective criterion indicative of the global quality of PB. An Lm < 10 mm underestimates cancer detection. PB must be interpreted according to an objective quality criterion indicated in the conclusion of the report.
