Is there a relationship between prostate volume and Gleason score?
OBJECTIVE
To review the relationship between the Gleason grade and prostate volume in biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens, and thus assess the hypothesis that smaller prostates have a greater incidence of high-grade tumours.


METHODS
We selected 390 patients who had RP at our institution, with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of < 10 ng/mL and who had not had hormonal therapy. We retrospectively reviewed the data for transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies from these patients and the RP specimens. Indications for biopsy included a PSA level of > or = 4 ng/mL or an abnormal digital rectal examination. High-grade tumours were defined as having a Gleason score of > or = 7.


RESULTS
The TRUS volume was statistically related to the rate of high-grade tumours at biopsy and RP. On multivariate analyses, TRUS volume was a significant predictor of high-grade tumour for biopsy and RP specimens, with an inverse relationship between high-grade tumours and prostate volume for biopsy and RP specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that there is a relationship between the rate of high-grade tumours and prostate volume even in biopsy and RP specimens and it is not an artefact related to the biopsy.
Mir
Maria Carmen
MC
Department of Urology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Autonoma University School of Medicine, Barcelona, Spain. mirmare@yahoo.es
Planas
Jacques
J
Raventos
Carles Xavier
CX
de Torres
Ines Maria
IM
Trilla
Enrique
E
Cecchini
Lluis
L
Orsola
Anna
A
Morote
Juan
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D009929:Organ Size; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen