Patients with elevated and/or rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA), minor lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and no evidence for prostate cancer on (multiple) extended prostate biopsies are a regularly encountered problem in urological practice. Even now, patients are seen with no objective explanation of this persistent elevated and/or rising PSA. So far, many strategic proposals have been elaborated and published to deal with this specific population including the use of different PSA derivates; applying different biopsy schemes-strategies-biopsy target imaging; diagnostic use of prostate cancer genes; and many more. In this review, we propose a new algorithm in which an urodynamic evaluation should be included since bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) can be expected. Once BOO is confirmed, a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) can be offered to these patients. This procedure will result in subjective and biochemical improvement and allows extensive histological examination. Current literature was reviewed with regard to this specific population. This research was performed using the commercially available Medline online search tools and applying the following search terms:"diagnostic TURP";"elevated PSA"; and "prostate biopsy". Furthermore, subsequent reference search was executed on retrieved articles.

We developed a local anesthetic procedure for three-dimensional 26-core prostate biopsy (3D26PBx), a combination of transperineal 14-core biopsy (TP14PBx) and transrectal 12-core biopsy (TR12PBx). At first, a periapical triangle, confined by the levator ani, the rhabdosphincter and the external anal sphincter muscle, was made visible by transrectal ultrasound. After administration of 1 mL of 1%-lidocaine into the midline perineal skin 1.5 cm above the anus, we inserted a spinal needle toward the periapical triangle for injection of 1.5-2.0 mL of 1%-lidocaine and performed the TP14PBx. After administration of the periprostatic nerve block with 10 mL of 1%-lidocaine, we performed the TR12PBx. The efficacy of the procedure was evaluated prospectively in 45 consecutive men undergoing the 3D26PBx. The 3D26PBx was completed with just local anesthesia in all patients. The pain levels, assessed by an 11-point visual analog scale, were not different between the TP14PBx and the TR12PBx.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) in an initial 21-core extended biopsy scheme and to determine the prostate cancer detection rate in the repeated biopsy. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2008, 2,006 patients underwent a first 21-core extended biopsy scheme. Incidences of cancer, ASAP and HGPIN were studied. Cancer detection rate in the repeated 21-core extended biopsy for ASAP and HGPIN was reported and compared with those obtained on repeated biopsy for clinico-biological indications. RESULTS: Incidences of HGPIN and ASAP were 1.7 and 1.1%, respectively. The 6-core and 12-core biopsy schemes detecting HGPIN would have missed the diagnosis of cancer in 10 and 3.6% of cases, compared to a 21-core biopsy protocol, respectively. The cancer detection rate on repeated biopsy for HGPIN was 19% and not significantly different compared with the detection rate on repeated biopsy for clinico-biological indications (16.8%, p = 0.77). Seven prostate cancers were found among the 17 re-biopsies for ASAP revealing a detection rate of 41.2%(p = 0.01). All detected cancers were organ confined. No clinico-pathological data were independent predictor of cancer on repeated biopsy. CONCLUSION: Our report demonstrates the different risk profiles for HGPIN and ASAP in a 21-core extended biopsy scheme. The presence of HGPIN does not imply a higher risk for cancer detection at immediate re-biopsy compared to other patients for whom repeated biopsies were indicated for increasing or persistently increased PSA levels. Repeated biopsy is warranted when ASAP is diagnosed because of a high risk of prostate cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Prostate cancer screening has shifted the diagnosis of prostate cancer to lower grade, organ confined disease. Radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy has been shown to be overtreatment in 30% of patients. In this review, we will discuss targeted focal therapy (TFT) using the modalities of cryotherapy or high intensity focused ultrasound as an alternate treatment for low-risk prostate cancers. RECENT FINDINGS: TFT uses 3-D mapping biopsies to guide treatment so lesions of interest are ablated whereas sparing surrounding healthy tissues, avoiding the side-effects associated with more invasive treatments. In recent years, improvements in cryotherapy and HIFU have increased efficacy whereas decreasing complications. Prostate cancer control reported following TFT is promising. SUMMARY: With data demonstrating effective treatment in select patients, physicians can better inform their patients of the options available to eradicate their prostate cancer. TFT provides an alternative to active surveillance and more aggressive treatments for patients with low-risk tumors. As studies mature, more information regarding long-term survival and benefit will become more evident.

In the past 20 years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has developed rapidly, along with the management of localized prostate cancer. We summarize current data on the efficacy of MRI for targeting cancer, compared with biopsies, in patients with previous negative prostate biopsies and persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. The key clinical question is how many men benefit by having had prostate cancer detected purely because of the MRI-targeted, as opposed to standard scheme, biopsies. We reviewed all available databases for prospective studies in patients having MRI and prostate biopsy with previous negative biopsies and persistently elevated PSA levels. Six studies fulfilled the selection criteria, with 215 patients in all; in these studies, the cancer-detection rate at repeat biopsy was 21-40%. For MRI or combined MRI/MR spectroscopy, the overall sensitivity for predicting positive biopsies was 57-100%, the specificity 44-96% and the accuracy 67-85%. In five studies, specific MRI-targeted biopsies and standard cores were taken, with a significant proportion (34/63, 54%) having cancer detected purely because of the MRI-targeted cores. The value of endorectal MRI and MR spectroscopy in patients with elevated PSA levels and previous negative biopsies to target peripheral zone tumours appears to be significant. Although more data obtained with current technologies are needed, published results to data are encouraging. A comparison study and cost-benefit analysis of MRI-targeted vs saturation biopsy in this group of patients would also be ideal, to delineate any advantages.

Objectives: To examine whether history of malignancy adds any significant information to the prediction of positive prostate biopsy in referred men with moderately elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and to develop a predicting nomogram that does not require extra examinations other than PSA. Methods: A total of 1767 consecutive Japanese men with PSA less than 10 ng/mL who underwent prostate biopsy were included in the study cohort. Age, digital rectal examination (DRE), PSA, body mass index, family history of prostate cancer and number of previous malignancies other than the prostate were evaluated in regard to their association with prostate cancer. A logistic regression-based nomogram for predicting prostate cancer was developed and externally validated. Results: Of the 1767 men, 269 had a history of malignancy with a total of 312 primary sites. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that DRE, PSA, age, family history and number of previous malignancies are independent and significant predictors of positive biopsy result. External validation revealed that the predicting accuracy of a nomogram incorporating these five variables is significantly higher than those of PSA or PSA and DRE. Using the nomogram, 8% of unnecessary biopsies would be saved at 95% sensitivity. Conclusions: We demonstrated for the first time that history of malignancy is a potent predictor of prostate cancer in men with moderately elevated PSA even if the established risk factors are adjusted. The nomogram can be a useful tool in decision-making of prostate biopsy. In daily practice, history of malignancy should be rigorously taken from these men before a decision is made regarding prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of periprostatic nerve block (PNB) alone vs PNB combined with the local administration of a 1.5% lidocaine/0.3% nifedipine cream (Antrolin(R), Bracco, Milan, Italy). PATIENTS AND METHODS In a prospective, randomized, double-arm study, 200 patients were randomized to receive PNB alone (group A, 100) or PNB combined with a previous administration of the topical anaesthetic Antrolin (group B, 100). The PNB was applied by infiltrating bilaterally a solution of 5 mL lidocaine 1% and naropine 0.75%. Patients were asked to complete visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire (0-10) to score pain and discomfort during probe insertion (VAS1), PNB (VAS2), cores (VAS3), 30 min after biopsy (VAS4), the evening of the procedure (VAS5), and the day after biopsy (VAS6). RESULTS Pain during probe insertion in group B was significantly less than in group A (VAS1 0.82 vs 2.9; P < 0.001). Pain during periprostatic infiltration was also lower in group B than group A (VAS2 1.4 vs 3.48; P < 0.001). Pain control was similar during biopsy in the two groups (VAS3 1.28 vs 1.2; P = 0.69). The pain scored at VAS4 was significantly less in group B (0.7 vs 1.86, P < 0.001), as was VAS5 (0.68 vs 1.3, P < 0.001). There was no difference in pain perception the day after biopsy (VAS6, 0.32 vs 0.22, P = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS Antrolin placed with PNB is better than PNB alone in reducing pain and discomfort during transrectal-ultrasonography guided prostate biopsy.

We assessed the accuracy of T2-weighted (T2w) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in localizing prostate cancer before transrectal ultrasound-guided repeat biopsy. Ninety-three patients with abnormal PSA level and negative prostate biopsy underwent T2w and DCE prostate MRI using pelvic coil before repeat biopsy. T2w and DCE images were interpreted using visual criteria only. MR results were correlated with repeat biopsy findings in ten prostate sectors. Repeat biopsy found prostate cancer in 23 patients (24.7%) and 44 sectors (6.6%). At per patient analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 47.8%, 44.3%, 20.4% and 79.5% for T2w imaging and 82.6%, 20%, 24.4% and 93.3% for DCE imaging. When all suspicious areas (on T2w or DCE imaging) were taken into account, a sensitivity of 82.6% and a negative predictive value of 100% could be achieved. At per sector analysis, DCE imaging was significantly less specific (83.5% vs. 89.7%, p < 0.002) than T2w imaging; it was more sensitive (52.4% vs. 32.1%), but the difference was hardly significant (p = 0.09). T2w and DCE MRI using pelvic coil and visual diagnostic criteria can guide prostate repeat biopsy, with a good sensitivity and NPV.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening results in the detection of prostate cancer in many men who are not destined to die from the disease. This often results in overtreatment. One approach to reducing the overtreatment effect is to treat selectively by observing patients with favorable risk disease, and treating only the subsets who are reclassified as higher risk over time, based on biochemical or pathologic progression of disease. METHODS: The data supporting the active surveillance concept is reviewed, including the results of several large-scale Phase 2 studies. A number needed to treat analysis was performed based on these studies and a large randomized trial of radical prostatectomy versus watchful waiting. The arguments in favor of, and opposed to, active surveillance are presented. RESULTS: The largest, most mature Phase 2 study of active surveillance has reported an 85% overall survival and 99% disease-specific survival with a median follow-up of 8 years (range 2-11 years). The number needed to treat analysis suggests that between 80 and 100 radical prostatectomies would be required for each prostate cancer death avoided in a favorable risk, screen detected population. CONCLUSION: Active surveillance appears to be safe for favorable risk prostate cancer and represents an appealing alternative to radical treatment for all newly diagnosed men. Further follow-up and a randomized study design are required to conclusively demonstrate the safety of this approach over the 15- to 20-year time frame. A large-scale randomized trial has recently been initiated internationally to address this question.

Aim: To evaluate the morphological changes induced by a 3-month course of neoadjuvant bicalutamide 150 mg/day before radical prostatectomy (RP) on prostatic adenocarcinoma and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN). In all, 90 patients with cT1-T2 prostate cancer and HGPIN on prostatic biopsy were randomized to receive bicalutamide (150 mg/day for 3 months) before RP, or to have immediate surgery. Surgical specimens were assessed for the histopathological features of cancer, HGPIN and benign epithelium in a blinded manner. The volumes of prostate cancer and HGPIN were evaluated using a stereological (i.e. grid) method. Compared with the bicalutamide-treated group, the ratio of stroma to epithelium, evaluated by visual microscopic assessment in the normal epithelium of the three prostate zones, was significantly lower in the control group, at 2.27 (sd 1.13), than in the treated group, at 1.87 (sd 0.72)(P = 0.048). The mean (sd) tumour volume was significantly lower in the bicalutamide-treated than in the control group, at 0.914 (0.13) vs 1.47 (0.24) mL (P = 0.044). Similarly, the mean (sd) volume of HGPIN was significantly lower in the bicalutamide-treated than in the control group, at 0.34 (0.06) vs 0.62 (0.07) mL (P = 0.003). At RP, specimen Gleason scores in the bicalutamide-treated group were similar to those in the control group, and were no different from the biopsy Gleason scores. Involution and epithelial shrinkage of prostate cancer and HGPIN were evident after neoadjuvant treatment with bicalutamide 150 mg. There was no evidence of the emergence of higher-grade cancer after treatment.

BACKGROUND: The most efficient number and location of prostate biopsies remains a matter of debate. OBJECTIVE: To identify the combination (number and location) of sampling sites that permits the detection of 95% of the prostate cancers (PCa) detected by a 24-core biopsy (24PBx). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred and seventeen consecutive patients with a suspicion of PCa were prospectively enrolled. INTERVENTION: A transrectal ultrasound-guided systematic 24PBx was prospectively performed with local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. The 24PBx was obtained by the overlapping of medial sextant, lateral sextant, octant subcapsular, and quadrant transition cores. Before fixation, each single core was individually marked and inked according to the prostatic location sampled. MEASUREMENTS: We relied on a classification and regression tree analysis to identify four subgroups of patients with different PCa detection risk at initial biopsy, according to their clinical characteristics. Subsequently, we set the cancer-positive rate of the 24PBx at 100% and calculated PCa detection rates for 255 possible combinations of sampling sites. We selected the most advantageous biopsy scheme (defined as the combination of sampling sites that detected 95% of all the cancers with the minimal number of biopsy cores) for each patient subgroup. Finally, we internally validated the tumor detection rates by using the 10-fold cross-validation method. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The 24PBx detected PCa in 289 patients (46.8%). The analysis revealed that the most advantageous schemes for patients with a negative digital rectal exam (DRE), prostate volume (PV)</=60cm(3), and age </=65 yr was a combination of a 16-core biopsy. For patients with a negative DRE, PV </=60cm(3), and age >65 yr or a negative DRE and PV >60cm(3), the most advantageous scheme was two different combinations of a 14-core biopsy. Finally, the sampling that permits detection of 95% of cancers in patients with a positive DRE was a combination of a 10-core biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: The most beneficial scheme varied according to the clinical characteristics of the patients. We propose a user-friendly flowchart to identify the most advantageous set of sampling sites according to patients' characteristics.

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical benefit of high-dose early adjuvant radiotherapy (EART) in high-risk prostate cancer (hrCaP) patients submitted to radical retropubic prostatectomy plus pelvic lymphadenectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical outcome of 334 hrCaP (pT3-4 and/or positive resection margins) node-negative patients submitted to radical retropubic prostatectomy plus pelvic lymphadenectomy before 2004 was analyzed according to the EART dose delivered to the prostatic bed,<70.2 Gy (lower dose, median 66.6 Gy, n = 153) or >/=70.2 Gy (median 70.2 Gy, n = 181). RESULTS: The two groups were comparable except for a significant difference in terms of median follow-up (10 vs. 7 years, respectively) owing to the gradual increase of EART doses over time. Nevertheless, median time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure was almost identical, 38 and 36 months, respectively. At univariate analysis, both 5-year biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were significantly higher (83% vs. 71%[p = 0.001] and 94% vs. 88%[p = 0.005], respectively) in the HD group. Multivariate analysis confirmed EART dose >/=70 Gy to be independently related to both bRFS (hazard ratio 2.5, p = 0.04) and DFS (hazard ratio 3.6, p = 0.004). Similar results were obtained after the exclusion of patients receiving any androgen deprivation. After grouping the hormone-naïve patients by postoperative PSA level the statistically significant impact of high-dose EART on both 5-year bRFS and DFS was maintained only for those with undetectable values, possibly owing to micrometastatic disease outside the irradiated area in case of detectable postoperative PSA values. CONCLUSION: This series provides strong support for the use of EART doses >/=70 Gy after radical retropubic prostatectomy in hrCaP patients with undetectable postoperative PSA levels.

BACKGROUND: Conventional imaging (CI) techniques are inadequate for lymph node (LN) staging in prostate cancer (PCa). OBJECTIVES: To assess the accuracy of (11)C-Choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) for LN staging in intermediate-risk and high-risk PCa and to compare it with two currently used nomograms. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: From January 2007 to September 2007, 57 PCa patients at intermediate risk (n=27) or high risk (n=30) were enrolled at two academic centres. All patients underwent preoperative PET/CT and radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic LN dissection (PLND). Risk of LN metastasis (LNM) was assessed using available nomograms. MEASUREMENTS: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and number of correctly recognized cases for LNM detection at PET/CT were assessed. The accuracy of PET/CT for LNM detection was compared with the accuracy of nomograms for LNM prediction by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Fifteen patients (26%) had LNMs, and a total of 41 LNMs were identified. On a patient analysis, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and number of correctly recognized cases at PET/CT were 60.0%, 97.6%, 90.0%, 87.2%, and 87.7% while, on node analysis, these numbers were 41.4%, 99.8%, 94.4%, 97.2%, and 97.1%. The mean diameter (in mm) of the metastatic deposit of true-positive LNs was significantly higher than that of false-negative LNs (9.2 vs 4.2; p=0.001). PET/CT showed higher specificity and accuracy than the nomograms; however, in pairwise comparison, the areas under the curve (AUCs) were not statistically different (all p values > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with intermediate-risk and high-risk PCa,(11)C-Choline PET/CT has quite a low sensitivity for LNM detection but performed better than clinical nomograms, with equal sensitivity and better specificity.

BACKGROUND: Controversies exist about the most appropriate management for patients with incidental prostate cancer after surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). OBJECTIVES: To test the accuracy of preoperative clinical variables in predicting the presence of residual disease and biochemical recurrence in patients with incidental prostate cancer treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed 126 T1a-T1b prostate cancers diagnosed at surgery for BPH between 1995 and 2007. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy within 6 mo of surgery for BPH. MEASUREMENTS: Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models addressed the association between the predictors (age, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] before and after surgery for BPH, pT1a-pT1b stage, prostate volume, and Gleason score at surgery for BPH) and the presence of residual cancer at radical retropubic prostatectomy. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses tested the relationship between the same predictors and the rate of biochemical recurrence after radical retropubic prostatectomy. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Seventy-five (59.5%) patients were stage T1a and 51 (40.5%) were stage T1b. At radical retropubic prostatectomy, 21 (16.7%) patients were pT0 and seven (5.6%) patients had extraprostatic disease (pT3). PSA before and after surgery for BPH and Gleason score at surgery for BPH were the only independent predictors of residual cancer at radical retropubic prostatectomy (all p<0.04). Stage (pT1a vs pT1b) did not predict residual cancer or the rate of biochemical recurrence. With a mean follow-up of 57 mo, the 5- and 10-yr biochemical recurrence-free survival rates were 92% and 87%, respectively. PSA after surgery for BPH and Gleason score at surgery for BPH were the only significant multivariate predictors of biochemical recurrence (all p<0.04). The main limitation of this study is the requirement of an external validation before implementation of the clinical recommendations. CONCLUSION: PSA measured before and after surgery for BPH and Gleason score at surgery for BPH were the only significant predictors of the presence of residual cancer at radical retropubic prostatectomy. PSA measured after surgery for BPH and Gleason score at surgery for BPH were the only independent predictors of biochemical recurrence after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively investigated the detection rates of prostate cancer, high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and atypical glands suggestive of carcinoma by initial 18 and 12-core prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3,460 consecutive patients with prostate specific antigen between 2.5 and 15 ng/ml underwent 12 (1,684) or 18 (1,776) core prostate biopsy under local anesthesia at 2 departments that adopted the same indications for performing biopsy. Biopsies were evenly distributed throughout the prostate in 6 sectors. In the 12-core prostate biopsy group 2 samples were obtained from each sector and in the 18-core prostate biopsy group 1 additional core was taken from each sector. RESULTS: The cancer detection rate in patients who underwent 18-core prostate biopsy was not different from the rate in those who underwent 12-core prostate biopsy (39.9% and 38.4%, p = 0.37), nor did the detection of atypical glands suggestive of carcinoma differ significantly between the 2 groups (2.9% and 3.3%, respectively, p = 0.33). However, 18-core prostate biopsy detected a significantly higher percent of cases of high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (20.0% vs 12.9%, p = 0.001). The cancer detection rate was higher with 18 than with 12-core prostate biopsy in patients with a prostate volume of 55 cc or greater (31.5% vs 24.8%, p = 0.01) but not in those with a prostate volume of less than 55 cc (54.3% and 53.0%, respectively, p = 0.7). Moreover, we determined that patients with positive digital rectal examination findings do not need 18-core prostate biopsy as opposed to 12-core prostate biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with 12-core prostate biopsy, 18-core prostate biopsy detects significantly more cases of high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. However, 18-core prostate biopsy detects a significantly higher number of cancer only in patients with a prostate volume of 55 cc or greater.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the prognostic role of lymphadenectomy (LND) in patients with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper urinary tract (UUT) managed with radical surgery. METHODS: From 1986 to 2003, 132 consecutive patients with muscle-invasive TCC of the UUT underwent radical surgery. LND was performed in 95 cases. Patients were stratified according to the presence of LND and lymph node (LN) status. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models determined the effect of age, pT, grade, nodal status (pN), number of LNs removed, year of surgery, and postoperative chemotherapy on disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in the overall population and in patients who underwent LND. RESULTS: The actuarial 5-yr CSS in pNx patients was significantly worse than in pN0 patients (48% vs. 73%, p=0.001) and comparable to pN+ outcome (48% vs. 39%, p=0.476). In the entire population, multivariable Cox regression analyses indicated that pT and pN status were independent predictors of DFS (p=0.04, hazard ratio [HR]=1.82 and p<0.01, HR=1.34, respectively) and CSS (p<0.01, HR=2.42 and p=0.04, HR=1.32, respectively). In patients who underwent LND, the number of LNs removed was an independent predictor of DFS (p=0.03, HR=0.928) and of CSS (p=0.007, HR=0.903). The extent of LND again resulted in an independent predictor either of DFS or CSS (p=0.04, HR=0.904 and p=0.01, HR=0.867, respectively) in the subgroup of pN0 patients. CONCLUSIONS: LND emerged as a strong independent predictor of DFS and CSS in patients surgically managed for a muscle-invasive TCC of the UUT.

OBJECTIVES: To compare pain control results between periprostatic nerve block alone and combined with topical prilocaine-lidocaine cream as local anesthesia of prostate biopsy. METHODS: Three hundred patients were randomized to receive PNB (group 1), topical anesthesia of the anal ring, anal canal, and anterior rectal wall combined with PNB (group 2) and placebo (group 3). Patients were asked to use scale of 0-10 to complete a visual analogue scale questionnaire about pain during probe insertion (VAS1), periprostatic infiltration (VAS2), and cores (VAS3). RESULTS: Pain during probe insertion in group 2 was significantly less than in groups 1 and 3 (VAS1, 0.29 vs. 1.46 and 1.48; p<0.0001). Pain during periprostatic infiltration was also reduced in group 2 compared with group 1 (VAS2, 1.06 vs. 2.39; p<0.0001). Pain control was similar during biopsy in the PNB and combined groups (VAS3, 0.43 vs. 0.37; p=0.77) and was superior to group 3 (VAS3, 3.02; p<0.0001). In younger patients (cut off, median age 67 yr) these differences were still significant between groups 1 and 2 (VAS1, 1.95 vs.0.31; p<0.0001 and VAS2, 2.97 vs. 1,15; p<0.0001), but not in older patients (VAS1, 0.91 vs. 0.28; p=0.06; VAS2, 1.52 vs. 0,92; p=0.06). Vagal symptoms were registered in 36 (12%) patients in all groups. Sepsis occurred in one group 1 patient and in one group 2 patient. Rectal bleeding was observed in one group 2 patient. CONCLUSION: Combined prilocaine-lidocaine cream topically placed with PNB is superior to PNB alone and may be of maximum benefit for younger patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (NSRRP) for localised prostate cancer after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic enlargement (BPE). METHODS: Fifteen consecutive patients with prostate cancer following HoLEP underwent NSRRP. They were matched with an equal number of patients who also underwent NSRRP following transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP group) or open prostatectomy (OP group). Patients were preoperatively assessed with validated questionnaires (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS] and International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function [IIEF-EF]). Intraoperative, perioperative, and follow-up functional data according to validated questionnaires (IPSS, IIEF-EF, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form [ICIQ-SF]) were evaluated with analysis of variance and chi(2) tests. RESULTS: At diagnosis, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, clinical stage, Gleason sum distributions, body mass index, ICIQ-SF, and IPSS were not significantly different among the groups. IIEF-EF scores was higher in the HoLEP group (p=0.02). Mean operative time was longer in the OP group (p=0.02), but no difference was found in mean blood loss (p=0.5). Final pathology showed no substantial differences among the groups, although a lower positive surgical margin rate was found in the HoLEP group (p=0.04). Mean follow-up was 23.8+/-10.5 mo. The groups showed no statistical differences in urinary continence rate (p=0.6), IPSS (p=0.3), or IIEF-EF (p=0.4). CONCLUSIONS: NSRRP is feasible in prostate cancer patients who previously underwent HoLEP for BPE and provides satisfactory functional outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether health-insurance status might result in more localized stage at presentation, more favourable stage at surgery and in a lower rate of biochemical recurrence (BCR), in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer and treated with radical prostatectomy (RP), as despite uninhibited access to healthcare, private and public health insurance are available in most European countries. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 4442 consecutive men had RP in two large European centres, of whom 2372 had public and 2070 had private health insurance. The groups were compared for several variables according to insurance status (private vs public). Means and proportions tests were complemented with logistic regression or Kaplan-Meier analyses. RESULTS Serum prostate-specific antigen level (P < 0.001), clinical stage (P < 0.001), pathological Gleason sum (P = 0.02), positive surgical margin rate (18.4% vs 25.4%, P < 0.001), extracapsular extension rate (17.7% vs 20.0%, P = 0.047) and seminal vesicle invasion rate (9.6% vs 11.6%, P = 0.04) were more favourable in privately insured patients. Conversely, the rate of lymph-node involvement was higher in those with private than public insurance (4.4% vs 3.3%, P = 0.045). In univariate analyses addressing pathological variables, private insurance was invariably protective (all P < 0.05). The Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that privately insured patients had a lower rate of BCR after RP (log-rank P = 0.017). CONCLUSION Despite uninhibited access to healthcare, insurance status represents a rate-limiting variable, which affects stage at presentation and the outcome of cancer control.

Prostate-specific antigen testing and prostate biopsy have revolutionized our ability to detect prostate cancer at an early stage. The transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy procedure has undergone a number of modifications over the past 10 years to meet our goal of early detection of cancer at a curable stage. Biopsy schemes have evolved from lesion-directed biopsies to systematic mapping of the peripheral zone of the prostate, which harbors almost all of the significant tumor foci. An increase in the number of biopsy cores from 6 to 10 (or 12) has resulted in a significant improvement in the detection of clinically localized cancer, without any appreciable increase in the number of indolent cancers. Current biopsy schemes also have enhanced our ability to determine the true prognostic value of pathologic lesions such as high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and atypical small acinar proliferation which have been associated with cancer detection in repeat biopsies. I discuss the rationale behind, and the outcomes of, various biopsy strategies. More than 15 years after PSA testing was popularized for early detection, a number of men are presenting for evaluation regarding repeat prostate biopsy for various clinical indications. The indications, biopsy scheme, and cancer detection rates for repeat prostate biopsy are discussed in detail.

BACKGROUND: Follow-up of patients with an initial negative prostate biopsy, but surrounding whom a suspicion of prostate cancer persists, is difficult. In addition, debate exists as to the optimal technique for repeat prostate biopsy. AIMS: To assess the cancer detection rate on repeat prostate biopsy. METHODS: We reviewed patients who underwent prostate biopsy in our department in 2005 who had >/=1 previous biopsy within the preceding 5 years. Cancer detection rate on repeat biopsy and the influence of the number of biopsy cores were recorded. RESULTS: Cancer detection rate on repeat biopsy was 15.4%, with approximately 60% detected on the first repeat biopsy, but approximately 10% not confirmed until the fourth repeat biopsy. Gleason score was similar regardless of the time of diagnosis (6.1-6.5). Mean interval between first biopsy and cancer diagnosis (range 18-55 months) depended on the number of repeat procedures. There was an association between the number of biopsy cores and cancer detection. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the practice of increasing the number of cores taken on initial and first repeat biopsy to maximise prostate cancer detection and reduce the overall number of biopsies needed.

Patients who have a persistently elevated or a rising PSA level following a prior negative prostate biopsy can be a stressful situation for both the urologist and the patient. This will be a brief review of the indications and techniques in patients undergoing a repeat biopsy. In patients with a prior negative biopsy, assessing the adequacy of the initial biopsy is important. F/T PSA is currently the most useful marker in predicting cancer on repeat biopsy although newer markers, such as PCA3, are promising. Repeat biopsies should include a minimum of 14 cores, the 12 cores recommended for an initial biopsy and 2 additional cores obtained form the right and left anterior apex. In patients for whom repeat biopsies fail to identify cancer, yet the clinical suspicion remains high, consideration for a saturation biopsy approach seems warranted.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Prostate biopsy has evolved from a paradigm of a small number of random biopsies to one of systematic, numeric, and anatomic strategy. Over the past several years, the data have demonstrated the importance of purposeful biopsy strategies for detecting, accurately grading, and staging prostate cancer in varying patient populations. We review the optimal strategies for prostate biopsy given various clinical situations. RECENT FINDINGS: The 10-14 core-extended biopsy scheme is optimal for first-time prostate biopsy. In patients with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer but prior negative biopsy, saturation biopsy with a focus on lateral and apical cores may be indicated. Saturation biopsy is not indicated as an initial biopsy strategy, but is efficacious for staging patients undergoing active surveillance protocols due to the risk of pathological upgrading and clinical upstaging after initial biopsy. There remains a high discordance between prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy Gleason scores; however, extended biopsy schemes may improve concordance rates. SUMMARY: Further studies are needed to define the role of extended and saturation biopsy strategies for individualized clinical situations. The goal of current prostate biopsy studies has evolved from one of purely evaluating cancer detection to investigating as to how biopsy results can assist clinical management and predict outcomes for patients with and without prostate cancer.

Randomized biopsy sampling under transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guidance is the gold standard for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. In addition improvements in the quality of conventional ultrasound, new methods that complement conventional TRUS are opening the door to earlier and better targeted diagnosis of prostate cancer. One of these new methods is sonoelastography. Its impact on prostate cancer diagnostics has not yet been fully investigated, but the number of publications on this new technique indicate increasing interest in it.

Since 1989, when Hodge and al. demonstrated transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy, it has become a "gold standard" for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. According to the experience gained in the period 1999-2003 in the Department of Urology-Medical University, Sofia, in a prospective follow-up of 20 prostate cancer patients, we found relationship between the positive tru-cut biopsy cores and the rate of positive lymph nodes.

INTRODUCTION: The prostate biopsy is the only valid tool to diagnose the existence of cancer of prostate. The indications of the biopsy, according with EAU, are the existence of high PSA, increased velocity PSA and a rectal suspicious tact. OBJECTIVES: validation of the utility of the prostate biopsy, to know the value of the PSA as a marker of prostate cancer in our way and to value the indication and efficiency of repeated biopsies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: we practice a manual review of the biopsies in our hospital, between the years 1990 and 2002. We study the level of PSA before the biopsy, number of prostatic cores and histologic information of the biopsy. A statistical descriptive and inferencial study has been performed by SPSS 12.0 package. RESULTS: The total number of biopsies registered was a 1202, with 36.96% of biopsy positive. The PSA before the biopsy (available in the biopsies realized between the year 1999 and 2002: 578 biopsies, 48.08% of the whole) was > 10 ng/ml in 55,88% of these patients, 4-10 ng/ml in 39.27% and 0-4 ng/ml in 4.84%. The average and PSA's median is of 19.09 (standard error: 1.87) and 10.6, respectively. The positividad of the biopsy increases with PSA's level: 48,61% with PSA > 10; 25.11% with PSA 4-10 and 21,4% in patients with PSA < 4. There was realized prostate rebiopsy (2 or more biopsies) in 132 patients (21.97% positive) 88,36% of the cancers was diagnosed in the first biopsy, and 6.62% in the second one (94,98% of the diagnoses of cancer of prostate carried out with the first 2 biopsies). CONCLUSIONS: The information obtained in the study by means of the descriptive analysis of our series meets in conformity the published in other studies and publications. There exists a need to increase the diagnostic profitability of the biopsy of prostate, for which we have introduced a protocol of biopsy under local anesthesia in order to be able to increase the number of obtained cylinders.

PURPOSE: To assess T2W and dynamic: contrast-enhanced (DCE) MR imaging in the detection of local tumor recurrence after transrectal high-intensity focused US (HIFU) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients treated by HIFU for prostate cancer were referred for MR due to biological evidence of tumor recurrence. Axial, sagittal and coronal T2W images and DCE images (12 3-mm thick axial images, temporal resolution: 15 seconds) were obtained first. Transrectal biopsies were then obtained under US guidance. MR findings were compared to biopsy results for 10 prostate sectors. RESULTS: Biopsies demonstrated tumor recurrence in 13/15 patients (23/108 sectors). On T2W images, the treated prostate tissue was diffusely hypointense which interfered with interpretation. Three patients (5 sectors) had suspicious areas of T2W signal abnormality and 15 patients (29 sectors) had suspicious areas on DCE scans. An analysis per sector for T2W and DCE imaging showed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values respectively of 0.13, 0.98, 0.6 and 0.81 and 0.70, 0.85, 0.55 and 0.91. DCE MR was strongly predictive of positive biopsy results (Odds ratio: 12.8 (95% confidence interval: 4.4-37.3)) whereas T2W imaging was not (Odds ratio: 4.0 (95% confidence interval: 0.5-30)). CONCLUSION: MR, especially DCE MR, is promising for the detection and localization of local prostate cancer recurrence after transrectal HIFU treatment.

INTRODUCTION: In 1987 transrectal ultrasound was described like the technique for guiding prostate biopsy. Since that time different options of transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy were described. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We did a reviewed of the different techniques and cores distribution in the prostate biopsy, also we describes the patient preparation and the most important complications. RESULTS: The majority of the reviewed showed an increase in the sensibility rates with the extended transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies. These improvements generally are due to the most lateral zones. CONCLUSION: Until now, due to a great experience and a low complications rate, the transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy strategy should be extended respect the classical sextant biopsy with cores from the most lateral zones of the prostate.