The purpose of this review was to evaluate the current role of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) in the management of prostate cancer (PC). The diagnosis of PC remains controversial owing to overdetection of indolent disease, which leads to overtreatment and subsequent patient harm. mp-MRI has the potential to equilibrate the imbalance between detection and treatment. The limitation of the data for analysis with this new technology is problematic, however. This issue has been compounded by a paradigm shift in clinical practice aimed at utilizing this modality, which has been rolled out in an ad hoc fashion often with commercial motivation. Despite a growing body of literature, pertinent clinical questions remain. For example, can mp-MRI be calibrated to reliably detect biologically significant disease? As with any new technology, objective evaluation of the clinical applications of mp-MRI is essential. The focus of this review was on the evaluation of mp-MRI of the prostate with respect to clinical utility.
*Disease Management ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Prostate/*pathology ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the technique and clinical outcomes of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for high risk prostate cancer.

METHODSA total of 65 patients with high risk prostate cancer were treated with surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2011 to June 2013. The mean age was 67 years (range 45-75 years). The mean preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA) level was 26.7 µg/L (range 11.2-65.5 µg/L). The transrectal biopsy revealed Gleason score of 3+3 in 4 patients, Gleason 3+4 in 27 patients, Gleason 4+3 in 11 patients, Gleason 4+4 in 21 patients and Gleason 4+5 in 2 patients. The bone metastasis was excluded by scintigraphy examination. The surgical procedures were performed through transperitoneal approach. Extended pelvic lymph nodes dissection was performed after the removal of the prostate. Adjuvant radiotherapy or hormonal therapy was administrated according to the pathological results. Serum PSA was detected every 1 to 2 month and urinary continence was evaluated every 3 month in the first year, and then serum PSA was detected every 2 to 3 month.

RESULTSThe mean operative time was (134±21) minutes and the median blood loss was (300±146) ml. Bladder neck reconstruction was performed in 15 cases. The drainage was removed on postoperative day 4 and the catheter was removed on day 7. Pathologic results demonstrated pT2 in 25 patients, pT3a in 28 patients, pT3b in 9 patients and pT4 in 3 patients. Positive surgical margin was presented in 15 patients. A median of 19 lymph nodes (range 11-24 nodes) were retrieved during lymphadenectomy and 11 patients had lymph nodes metastasis with a total of 19 positive nodes. Forty-three patients recovered continence after the removal of catheter. Eleven patients received adjuvant hormonal therapy and 19 patients received adjuvant radiation therapy. With the median of 20 months follow-up (range 12-30 months), 5 patients got biochemical recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic radical prostatectomy with extended lymph nodes dissection for high risk prostate cancer is safe and technical feasible. It provides accurate information on tumor stage and grade. It is an important component of multimodality for the treatment of high risk prostate cancer.

Aged ; Biopsy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; Postoperative Period ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical factors affecting Gleason score upgrade in patients receiving radical prostatectomy (RP).

METHODSA total of 322 patients with prostate cancer who received RP from January 2012 to December 2013 at Department of Urology at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were included, and their data of age, body mass index (BMI), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, percentage core, clinical staging, pathological characteristics, biopsy Gleason score and RP Gleason score were analyzed. Differences in categorical variables and continuous variables were compared using χ² tests and Student's t-test, respectively. Unconditional multiple logistic regression was used to estimate OR and 95% CI of the association of Gleason score upgrade with clinical factors.

RESULTSGleason score upgrade occurred in 107 of 322 (33.3%) patients. There was no difference in age, BMI and clinical staging between the two groups. Compared with patients without Gleason score upgrade, higher levels of PSA (χ² =6.740, P=0.034), smaller prostate volume (t=3.481, P=0.002) and elevated percentage core (t=-2.097, P=0.037) were observed in patients with Gleason score upgrade. In addition, lymph node metastasis (χ² =4.193, P=0.041) and extracapsular extension (χ² =4.747, P=0.029) were more common in patients with Gleason score upgrade. After adjusting for potential confounders, PSA levels (OR=2.451, 95% CI: 1.290-4.660), prostate volume (OR=0.982, 95% CI: 0.969-0.995) and percentage core (OR=2.756, 95% CI: 1.033-7.357) were independent predictors for Gleason score upgrade.

CONCLUSIONGleason score upgrade happens at a relatively high rate. PSA levels, prostate volume and percentage core are important factors affecting Gleason score upgrade.

Biopsy ; Body Mass Index ; China ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery

The incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in China are increasing year by year. The review is focused on current hot prospects of prostate cancer. The value of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening is still controversial, and PSA screening in high-risk groups is recommended for early diagnosis of prostate cancer. Prostate biopsy including transrectal approach and perineal approach, and two methods have both advantages and disadvantages. There is significant correlation between testosterone levels and the prognosis of prostate cancer, and the monitoring of testosterone level contributes to the treatment. The main complications of radical resection of prostate cancer is urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, three-dimensional laparoscopic and robot assisted laparoscopic techniques have obvious advantages in radical operation. Brachytherapy is another option for radical treatment, with relaxed age limit, low incidence of erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence and reliable curative effect. The diagnosis and treatment of new technologies include such as MRI dynamic enhancement scan, ¹⁸F-fluoroethyl PET/CT, ultrasound contrast technology, prostate cancer immunotherapy, et al.
Biopsy ; Brachytherapy ; China ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Prognosis ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Robotic Surgical Procedures ; Testosterone ; blood ; Urinary Incontinence

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is recognized as an organ-specific marker with low specificity and sensitivity in discriminating prostate cancer (PCa) from other benign conditions, such as prostatic hyperplasia or chronic prostatitis. Thus, in the case of clinical suspicion, a PCa diagnosis cannot be made without a prostate biopsy. [-2]proPSA (p2PSA), a precursor of PSA, has been investigated as a new marker to accurately detect PCa. The aim of this systematic review was to discuss the available literature regarding the clinical validity and utility of p2PSA and its derivatives, p2PSA/fPSA (%p2PSA) and the Prostate Health Index (PHI). A systematic search of the PubMed and Scopus electronic databases was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement (http://www.prisma-statement.org), considering the time period from January 1990 to January 2014 and using the following search terms: proprostate specific antigen, proenzyme PSA, proPSA, [-2]proPSA, p2PSA, Prostate Health Index, and PHI. To date, 115 studies have been published, but only 35 were considered for the qualitative analysis. These studies suggested that p2PSA is the most cancer-specific form of PSA, being preferentially expressed in PCa tissue and being significantly elevated in the serum of men with PCa. It is now evident that p2PSA, %p2PSA, and PHI measurements improve the specificity of the available tests (PSA and derivatives) in detecting PCa. Moreover, increasing PHI values seem to correlate with more aggressive disease. Some studies have compared p2PSA and its derivatives with other new biomarkers and found p2PSA to be significantly more accurate. Indeed, the implementation of these tests in clinical practice has the potential to significantly increase the physician's ability to detect PCa and avoid unnecessary biopsies, while also having an effective impact on costs. Further studies in large, multicenter, prospective trials are required to confirm these encouraging results on the clinical utility of these new biomarkers.
Humans ; Male ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/*blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Protein Isoforms/blood ; Protein Precursors/*blood ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severity of Illness Index ; Tumor Markers, Biological/blood

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively determine the optimal b value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for predicting the presence of localized prostate cancer, and to evaluate the utility of DWI under different b values in differentiating between cancers and benign prostatic tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty patients with suspected prostate cancer underwent MRI including DWI at 3T, followed by radical prostatectomy. DWI was examined under different b values. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were generated by using b = 0, and other b values of 300, 700, 1000 or 2000 s/mm2. For predicting the presence of cancers, four different ADC maps were analyzed independently by two blinded readers. ADCs were measured in benign and malignant tissues. RESULTS: For predicting the presence of 110 prostate cancers, the sensitivity and area under the curve (AUC) for an experienced reader was significantly greater at b = 1000 (85% and 0.91) than b = 300, 700 or 2000 s/mm2 (p < 0.01). For a less-experienced reader, the AUC was significantly greater at b = 700, 1000 or 2000 than b = 300 s/mm2 (p < 0.01). Mean ADCs of the cancers in sequence from b = 300 to 2000 s/mm2 were 1.33, 1.03, 0.88 and 0.68 x 10(-3) mm2/s, which were significantly lower than those of benign tissues (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The optimal b value for 3T DWI for predicting the presence of prostate cancer may be 1000 s/mm2.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Area Under Curve ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biexponential apparent diffusion parameters of diverse prostate tissues and compare them with monoexponential apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value in the efficacy to discriminate prostate cancer from benign lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven healthy volunteers and 61 patients underwent a conventional (b-factors 0, 1000 s/mm2) and a 10 b-factor (0 to 3000 s/mm2) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The monoexponential ADC value and biexponential parameters of fast ADC (ADCf), fraction of ADCf (f), slow ADC (ADCs) value for 29 prostate cancer, 28 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 24 prostatitis lesions and normal tissue were calculated and compared. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the sensitivity, specificity and optimal cut-off points. RESULTS: Prostate cancer had lower ADC, ADCf, f, and ADCs than all other tissues (p < 0.01). Prostatitis exhibited a lower ADC, ADCf, ADCs and f than the peripheral zone tissue (p < 0.01), and BPH showed a lower ADC and ADCf than the central gland tissue (p < 0.01). The ADCf demonstrated a comparable accuracy with ADC in differentiating cancer from BPH [area under the curve (AUC) 0.93 vs. 0.92] and prostatitis AUC 0.98 vs. 0.99) (both p > 0.05), but the AUC of f and ADCs in differentiating cancer from BPH (0.73 and 0.81) and prostatitis (0.88 and 0.91) were significantly lower than ADC (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The biexponential DWI appears to provide additional parameters for tissue characterization in prostate, and ADCf helps to yield comparable accuracy with ADC in differentiating cancer from benign lesions.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Analysis of Variance ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; *Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/*diagnosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/surgery ; Prostatitis/*diagnosis ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

The necessity of routine prostate biopsy prior to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in elderly comorbid patients with a high prostate specific antigen (PSA) level remains controversial. We assessed the role of TURP in prostate cancer diagnosis in these individuals. A total of 197 patients underwent TURP in conjunction with prostatic needle biopsy. Pathologic reviews of specimens of TUR chips and biopsy cores were analyzed. Overall, prostate cancer (CaP) was detected in 114 patients (57.6%). Ninety-eight cancers (86%) were detected with TURP and biopsy, and seven cancers (6.1%) with only TURP. The Gleason score of a TUR-specimen was identical to that of the biopsy-core in 43.9% of cases. Variables associated with diagnostic accuracy in the TUR-specimens included the prebiopsy PSA level, prostate specific antigen density (PSAD), and the Gleason score in biopsy cores. In patients with a PSA level and a PSAD that was greater than 15.4 ng/mL and 0.69 ng/mL/g, respectively, 100% of the cancers were detected in the TUR-specimens. Our results suggest that a prostatic biopsy might be omitted prior to TURP in elderly patients with significant co-morbidity and levels for PSA of >15.4 ng/mL.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Area Under Curve ; Biopsy, Needle ; Comorbidity ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prostate/*surgery ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/*blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*diagnosis/epidemiology/*pathology/surgery ; ROC Curve ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine whether 12 core-extended biopsies of the prostate could predict insignificant prostate cancer (IPCa) in Koreans reliably enough to recommend active surveillance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and ninety-seven patients who underwent radical prostatectomy after 12 core-extended prostate biopsies were retrospectively reviewed. 38 cases (12.8%) were shown to be IPCa. RESULTS: The average age was 65.2 years, serum PSA was 5.49 ng/dL, and the PSA density was 0.11. The Gleason scores (GS) were 6 (3+3) in 31, 5 (3+2) in 4, and 4 (2+2) in 3. After radical prostatectomy, higher GS was given in 16 (42.1%), whereas lower GS was given in 1 case (2.6%), as compared with the GS obtained from biopsy. 11 (28.9%) had GS of 7 (3+4) and 5 (13.2%) had GS of 7 (4+3). 6 in GS 7 (4+3) and 1 in GS 7 (3+4) showed prostate capsule invasion and 1 in GS 7 (4+3) had seminal vesicle invasion. Prostate capsule invasion was observed in 1 with GS 6 (3+3). The rate of inaccuracy of the contemporary Epstein criteria was 42.1%. Only PSA density was a reliable indicator of clinically IPCa (odds ratio=1.384, 95% CI, 1.103 to 2.091). CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of IPCa from a prostate biopsy underestimated the true nature of prostate cancer in as many as 42.1% of Koreans.
Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms/blood/*diagnosis/surgery ; Retrospective Studies

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic roles of the prostate volume, tumor volume, and tumor percentage as a function of the pathologic T stage in radical prostatectomy specimens. This study included 259 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 2005 and 2010. The mean follow-up period was 41.2 months. In all of the specimens, prostate volume (P = 0.021), the Gleason score (P = 0.035), and seminal vesicle invasion (P = 0.012) were independent predictors of biochemical recurrence (BCR). In the T2 group, multivariate analysis showed that the BCR was significantly associated with prostate specific antigen (PSA) (P = 0.028), a lower prostate volume (P = 0.004), and the Gleason score (P = 0.040). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that a smaller prostate volume was significantly associated with a greater risk of BCR (< 30 vs > or = 30 mL; P = 0.010). In the T3 group, patients with seminal vesicle invasion had a significantly shorter mean BCR-free survival (P = 0.030). In this study, tumor volume and tumor percentage did not predict BCR. Notably, a lower prostate volume is an independent predictor for BCR only in the organ-confined radical prostatectomy specimens. But, prostate volume could not predict BCR in most locally advanced tumors.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnosis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Organ Size ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prostate/*pathology ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*pathology/surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors