Safety of transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy in patients affected by Crohn's disease.

Purpose: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. It is usually considered a contraindication to transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSBx). The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of TRUSBx in a small cohort of patients with CD. Methods: We queried our institutional database clinical data of patients with a diagnosis of CD undergoing TRUSBx, and a retrospective prospective study of 5 patients was planned. All patients enrolled were in the remission phase of CD and asymptomatic. They received the same antibiotic prophylaxis and a povidone-iodine aqueous solution enema before the procedure. A standardized reproducible technique was used with using a ultrasound machine equipped with a 5-9 MHz multi-frequency convex probe "end-fire". The patients were treated under local anaesthesia, and a 14-core biopsy scheme was performed in each patient as first intention. After the procedure each patient was given a verbal numeric pain scale to evaluate tolerability of TRUSBx. Results: TRUSBx was successfully completed in all patients. The number of biopsy cores was 14 (12-16). Of the 5 biopsy procedures performed 40% revealed prostatic carcinoma (PCa) with a Gleason score 6 (3+3). No patients required catheterization or admission to the hospital for adverse events after the procedure. The most frequent adverse event was hematospermia (60%), while hematuria was present in 20% of patients and a minimal rectal bleeding in 20% of the patients. No patients reported severe or unbearable pain (score >= 8). Conclusions: This study suggests that CD may not be an absolute contraindication to TRUSBx for prostate cancer detection, but still requires a careful patients selection

Ultrasound analysis of seminal vesicles in prostate cancer invasion: monocentric experience of an extended prostate biopsy scheme.

PURPOSE: At present, uniformity does not exist with regard to the indication criteria of seminal vesicle (SV) biopsies. The aim of this study was to define the ultrasonographic (US) patterns observed in SV invaded by prostate cancer (PCa), and propose an extended prostate biopsy protocol when SV invasion (SVI) is suspected. METHODS: We reviewed 1.252 patients who underwent an initial transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy for suspicious PCa. We performed a 14-core biopsy scheme, as first intention, including 1 SV sample on each side when SVI is suspected: a nodule at the base of prostate (determined by digital rectal examination or US) and/or an US pattern that suggests a SVI. US patterns of SVs were classified as abnormal by a variation of the body anterior-posterior diameter, asymmetry of the volume, parietal thickness, distance between the SVs and the rectal surface, and altered echogenicity of SVs and the base of the prostate. RESULTS: Of the 137 biopsies performed in SVs, the SVI by PCa was diagnosed in 66.5% of candidate patients. The overall prevalence of SVI was 28.5%. No significant difference was noted between the patients with SVI and without SVI, when comparing age, prostate volume, and total core length, except for preoperative PSA serum levels. The sensitivity of any abnormal finding on transrectal ultrasound for the presence of SVI by PCa is 90.8%, whereas the specificity is 96%. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that an extended prostate biopsy protocol to provide the possibility of taking one biopsy core of each SV when SVI is suspected should be considered a complementary procedure for PCa staging

Prostatic calculi detected in peripheral zone of the gland during a transrectal ultrasound biopsy can be significant predictors of prostate cancer

Purpose: Prostatic calculi (PC) are usually associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia or chronic inflammation. However, in several studies prostatic inflammation and calcification have been implicated in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer (CaP). We evaluated the prevalence of PC during transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and correlate the ultrasonographic patterns with histological findings. Methods: A prospective study of 664 patients undergoing TRUS and prostate biopsy was planned. A standardized reproducible technique was used with using a GE Logiq 7 machine equipped with a 5-9MHz multi-frequency convex probe "end-fire". We defined marked presence of PC as multiple hyperechoic foci with significant area (>= 3 mm in the largest diameter). PC were classified according to zone distribution into the gland: transitional zone (TZ), central zone (CZ), and peripheral zone (PZ). Results: No significant difference was noted between the patients with PC and without PC, when comparing age, preoperative PSA level, prostate volume, and biopsy number, except for DRE findings. 168 patients (25.3%) had marked presence of PC on TRUS: 50.6% in TZ, 20.2% in CZ, and 29.2% in PZ. 31 patients (63.3%) with presence of PC in PZ had CaP on biopsy. The correlation observed between CaP and the presence of PC in PZ was statistically significant (p < 0.001). However, among patients in the CaP group there was no statistical association between PC and moderate or high Gleason grade. Conclusions: This study suggests that chronic prostatic inflammation and PC have a role in the biogenesis of cancer. CaP was more frequent in patients with PC in PZ of the gland, but was not associated with higher Gleason grade among these patients (p < 0.001)

Salvage cryosurgery for recurrent prostate carcinoma after radiotherapy

Cryotherapy is a salvage treatment for patients with biopsy-proved prostatic adenocarcinoma recurrent after radiotherapy. Proper sampling, labeling, and analysis of prostate biopsies allows prompt diagnosis, identification of important prognostic parameters, and planning of an appropriate therapeutic strategy. Whereas androgen-suppressive therapy is associated with only a temporary benefit, transperineal salvage cryosurgery offers a potentially curative option for patients with localized disease, even those with significant comorbidities. Technological advances, including computerized treatment planning and miniaturized cryoprobes, may provide further therapeutic advantages and lower complication rates. Cryotherapy should be included among the established therapeutic options for recurrence after radiotherap