Evaluation of transition zone and lateral sextant biopsies for prostate cancer detection after initial sextant biopsy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of transition zone and lateral sextant biopsies for the detection of prostate cancer after a previous sextant biopsy was negative.


METHODS
A total of 74 prostates after radical prostatectomy were used to perform biopsies ex vivo. First, a sextant biopsy was taken, then two different rebiopsy techniques were performed. Rebiopsy technique A consisted of a laterally placed sextant biopsy and two cores per side of the transition zones only. Rebiopsy technique B included a standard sextant biopsy and two cores per side from the lateral areas of the prostate. The biopsies were taken using ultrasound guidance to sample the areas of interest precisely.


RESULTS
The initial sextant biopsy found 39 prostate cancers. Rebiopsy technique A found 12 cancers (34%). In this group, a laterally placed sextant biopsy found 12 cancers; transition zone biopsies revealed cancer in 5 cases, but no additional tumor was found. Rebiopsy technique B detected 23 prostate cancers (66%). Fourteen tumors were found after a second standard sextant biopsy, and nine additional tumors were found in the lateral areas.


CONCLUSIONS
Sextant biopsy has a low sensitivity of only 53%. A biopsy including the transition zones is not the ideal technique for detecting the remaining tumors. Therefore, transition zone biopsies should be reserved for patients with multiple previous negative biopsies of the peripheral zone. A subsequent sextant biopsy with additional cores from the lateral areas of the prostate is favorable if rebiopsy is necessary after a negative sextant biopsy.
Fink
Klaus G
KG
Department ofUrology and Andrology, St. Johannsspital, Landeskrankenanstalten Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
Hutarew
Georg
G
Esterbauer
Brigitte
B
Pytel
Akos
A
Jungwirth
Andreas
A
Dietze
Otto
O
Schmeller
Nikolaus T
NT
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010173:Palpation; D011467:Prostate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen