Evaluation of resistance index in patients with prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the resistance index (RI) of the prostate measured by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in Taiwanese prostate cancer patients to Gleason score, staging and prostate volume.


METHODS
Forty-five patients (mean age, 73.3 years; range 56 to 97) diagnosed to have prostate cancer via prostate biopsy and/or transurethral prostatectomy were recruited for our study. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to Gleason score, low grade (2-4, LG n = 14), intermediate grade (5-7, IG n = 14) and high grade (8-10, HG n = 17) groups. The blood flow pattern and mean RI of the prostate vessels were recorded and compared with age, prostate volume, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and oncological stage. A follow-up color Doppler ultrasonography was also performed in 17 patients after 3-6 months of hormone therapy and the changes of RI were recorded.


RESULTS
The mean age, serum PSA and prostate volume were comparative among the three groups, but the differences of RI were statistically significant (p = 0.029). Advanced prostate cancer (HG group) tended to have higher RI. There was a close correlation between RI and Gleason score (Spearman R = 0.452, p = 0.002). The high RI phenomenon could be reversed after 3-6 months of hormone therapy (paired t-test, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
High grade prostate cancer tends to have higher RI. RI measurement during color Doppler TRUS may be helpful in the evaluation of the vascularity of prostate cancer and its vascular changes to hormone treatment.
Huang
Shih-Tsung
ST
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC. huangst@cgmh.org.tw
Hsieh
Ming-Li
ML
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003534:Cyproterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005485:Flutamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017273:Goserelin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009919:Orchiectomy; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods
D017273:Goserelin; D005485:Flutamide; D003534:Cyproterone; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D016729:Leuprolide