Biomedical subjects

J I Epstein

Publications and source records attributed to J I Epstein.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Use of repeat sextant and transition zone biopsies for assessing extent of prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Little is known why certain prostate cancers are missed on biopsy. In patients with a needle biopsy diagnosis of cancer it is also unknown whether repeat needle biopsy provides useful information to predict extent of disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the pathology laboratory we performed sextant and transition zone needle biopsies on 193 radical prostatectomy specimens from men with nonpalpable cancer detected on needle biopsy (stage T1c) using an 18 gauge biopsy gun. Radical prostatectomy specimens were then serially sectioned, totally embedded, mapped and staged. RESULTS: The transition zone biopsy by itself was positive in only 2.1% of cases, demonstrating the lack of usefulness for this particular biopsy. Despite cancer on preoperative needle biopsy in all cases, 31% showed no cancer on repeat sextant transition zone biopsy. In a multivariate analysis (variables included radical prostatectomy tumor volume, radical prostatectomy tumor location, prostate gland size and radical prostatectomy grade) decreased tumor volume (p < 0.0001), increased gland size (p = 0.001), and decreased radical prostatectomy grade (p = 0.013) were each independent predictors of absence of tumor on repeat biopsy. A lack of cancer on repeat biopsy correlated with pathological stage: 90% of cases without cancer on repeat biopsy were organ confined versus 66% for cases with a single less than 3 mm. focus of cancer on repeat biopsy versus 58% for cases with more cancer on repeat biopsy. Of 38 men with a preoperative needle biopsy showing less than 3 mm. of cancer on 1 core that was not high grade and with prostate specific antigen 10 or less (men for whom urologists are most likely to repeat biopsy) the presence of cancer on repeat biopsy also correlated with extent of disease at radical prostatectomy. However, of these 38 men 6 of 16 with no cancer on repeat biopsy had moderate tumor (4 with organ confined Gleason score 5 to 6, tumor volume 0.79 to 4.5 cc; 1 with organ confined Gleason score 7, tumor volume 0.18 cc; and with 1 established penetration Gleason score 6, tumor volume 0.53) at radical prostatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Although absence of cancer on repeat biopsy correlates with various parameters of extent of disease, there is significant overlap for the individual patient. This study also demonstrates the limits of sextant needle biopsy to evaluate tumor status in patients who elect watchful waiting or less invasive forms of therapy (cryotherapy, interstitial radiotherapy).

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Differentiation of colonic metaplasia from adenocarcinoma of urinary bladder.

Colonic metaplasia and primary bladder adenocarcinoma are relatively uncommon entities that can have similar gross clinical appearances. Examples of colonic metaplasia histologically mimicking cancer have only rarely been reported. We retrospectively analyzed 38 cases of cystitis glandularis (18 cases of colonic metaplasia), 12 cases of adenocarcinoma of urinary bladder (two well-differentiated, WDA), and one in situ adenocarcinoma from the surgical pathology files of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Nine patients with colonic metaplasia had widespread lesions. Two showed superficial muscularis propria involvement, mimicking adenocarcinoma; one of these cases had been diagnosed as infiltrating WDA at both an academic center and a community hospital. Dissecting mucin pools were focally seen in four cases of widespread colonic metaplasia, also mimicking cancer. One of the nine cases showed minimal cytological atypia, but no cases showed mitoses or signet ring cells. Distinguishing WDA from colonic metaplasia was the finding in WDA of infiltrative architectural pattern (two of two), extensive muscle invasion (two of two), moderate anaplasia (one of two), mitotic figures (two of two), and extensive mucinous pools (one of two). The diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in situ was based on anaplasia. Clinically, colonic metaplasia may resemble cancer. Histologically, colonic metaplasia may mimic cancer based on extensive involvement of the lamina propria, focal mucinous pools, focal muscularis propria involvement, focal mild cytological atypia, and rare mitoses. Despite overlapping features with colonic metaplasia, the diagnosis of WDA is based on the greater degree and extent of these atypical findings in cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1997

Telepathology diagnosis of prostrate needle biopsies.

We conducted a prospective analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of a static-image telepathology system (Roche RIAS, Elon College, NC) in the interpretation of needle biopsies of the prostate (NBx). Two hundred consecutive cases received in consultation were included. Each case was examined by one of the researchers (MHW), and images were captured either according to the areas of concern designated by the referring pathologist (set A; 100 cases) or according to the judgment of MHW (set B; 100 cases). The other researcher (JIE) daily rendered diagnoses first on the video images and then by direct microscopy. Accuracy of video diagnosis was categorized as 0 (correct), 1 (minor error), 2 (major error), or 3 (deferred). An average of 5.49 images were captured per case in set A, and 5.28 for set B. Seventy-seven, 9, 9, and 5 cases were categorized as 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively, for set A, and 78, 17, 1, and 4 cases, respectively, for set B. Video versus direct diagnoses for the type 2 errors were five carcinoma versus markedly atypical, two carcinoma versus atypical, one carcinoma versus nonspecific granulomatous prostatitis, and two benign versus atypical. In these difficult NBx, telepathology allowed an essentially correct diagnosis in almost all of the cases. The number of images required was reasonable, and the images were of excellent quality. However, the accuracy varied from set A to set B, with the fractions of nondeferred cases that were given an essentially correct video diagnosis totaling 91% and 99%, respectively (P < .01). Accuracy of telepathology diagnosis using static images may depend on the person capturing the images, even in the case of small biopsies.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMed1997

Static image analysis of skin specimens: the application of telepathology to frozen section evaluation.

Although the ability to transmit high-resolution images of histopathological sections could have a profound impact on the practice of pathology, the application of video microscopy to the daily activities of surgical pathology has not been rigorously evaluated. In particular, certain aspects of video microscopy relating to frozen section evaluation have not been adequately assessed. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 48 excisional skin biopsy specimens encompassing a spectrum of benign and malignant lesions. To simulate an actual frozen section evaluation, only original frozen section slides were evaluated. Fields were selected and digitized (Roche Image Analysis System) by a pathology resident. Two sets of diagnoses were subsequently rendered by a surgical pathologist, the first set based on the digitized images and the second based on direct microscopic examination of the histological slides. The two sets of diagnoses were compared, and the concordance rates were as follows: malignant diagnoses, 100%; benign diagnoses, 100%; positive margins, 96%; negative margins, 99%. One (4%) of the 25 positive margins was indexed as negative by image analysis. Conversely, one (1%) of the 121 negative margins was indexed as positive by image analysis. In both of these cases, error was attributable to selection and digitization of an inappropriate field. We conclude that telepathology of static images is an accurate method of evaluating frozen sections of skin lesions. Potentially, this technology could be applied to the frozen section evaluation of other lesions as well. Static image analysis is, however, susceptible to errors induced by inappropriate field selection, emphasizing the need for trained and skillful personnel on both sides of the video camera.

Frozen Sections↗

PubMed1997

Prostate-specific antigen in men born with bladder exstrophy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in men born with bladder exstrophy and to investigate the clinical utility of this test in the bladder exstrophy population. METHODS: Ten men aged 19 to 45 years with a history of bladder exstrophy underwent digital rectal examination and free and total serum PSA determinations. Immunohistochemistry for PSA and prostate-specific acid phosphatase (PSAP) was performed on archival prostate tissue from 1 man with bladder exstrophy. RESULTS: Free and total serum PSA levels for all patients were measurable and below the upper limit for established age-specific reference ranges for normal men. Both PSA and PSAP were detectable by immunohistochemistry in prostate epithelial cells of a man with bladder exstrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Men born with bladder exstrophy have detectable serum PSA levels. However, because prostate cancer in men with bladder exstrophy has not been reported, whether PSA will have a clinical role as a serum tumor marker for prostate cancer in this population remains to be determined. If so, the PSA reference range for men with the exstrophy condition will need to be defined. Because prostate histology in men with exstrophy resembles that of normal men, careful clinical monitoring for benign and malignant tumors should not be overlooked in this particular population.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Incidence and clinical significance of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in TURP specimens.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and clinical significance of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) in specimens obtained from transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). METHODS: All TURP specimens accessioned to the general surgical pathology service of the Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) from March 1984 through December 1987 that did not contain adenocarcinoma of the prostate were reviewed for the presence of high-grade PIN (PIN 2 and PIN 3). These cases were supplemented with cases from the consultation files of the JHH, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, and the University of Michigan Hospitals. In total, 85 cases of high-grade PIN in TURP specimens were identified. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients at the time of TURP was 70 years and the median age was 71 years (range 50 to 89). Sixty-three patients (74%) were 65 years of age or older, 45 patients (53%) were at least 70 years of age, and 14 patients (16%) were 60 years of age or younger. Adenocarcinoma of the prostate was discovered in 9 (22%) of 41 patients with follow-up information. Based on material from JHH, the incidence of high-grade PIN was 2.3% in all TURP specimens and 3.2% in those without invasive carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: High-grade PIN on TURP is relatively uncommon and is diagnosed in an elderly population. Patients with high-grade PIN on TURP appear to be at increased risk of developing prostatic carcinoma, although not to the same degree as patients with high-grade PIN on needle biopsy.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Incidence of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in sextant needle biopsy specimens.

OBJECTIVES: There is scant literature on the frequency of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) in needle biopsy specimens. These data have implications as to how often pathologists should be expected to diagnose these lesions on needle biopsy and impact on the feasibility of cancer chemoprevention trials for prostate cancer. METHODS: We reviewed 439 consecutive 18-gauge sextant needle biopsy specimens from the Johns Hopkins Hospital. RESULTS: Based on the pathology reports, high-grade PIN was recorded in 12 (2.7%) of the cases and was confirmed upon review. Following review of the slides, unequivocal high-grade PIN was found in an additional 6 cases. There were 6 other cases where the findings were borderline between high- and low-grade PIN, but which were believed to be more consistent with high-grade PIN. Considering these latter cases in conjunction with the unequivocal cases of high-grade PIN, the incidence of high-grade PIN was 5.5% (24 of 439). CONCLUSIONS: Recognizing that approximately 50% of men with high-grade PIN on needle biopsy will be found to have carcinoma on repeat biopsy, the management of high-grade PIN on biopsy will only apply to 50% of the men initially discovered with this finding. If only 2.75% of men who are biopsied eventually need therapy for high-grade PIN on needle biopsy, the number of cases needed to study the decrease of high-grade PIN following chemoprevention might be prohibitively high. If the incidence of high-grade PIN on needle biopsy requiring therapy is only 2.75%, it may also not be worthwhile developing large trials to investigate various treatment regimens for high-grade PIN found on biopsy.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Role of prostate-specific antigen velocity in prediction of final pathologic stage in men with localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity prior to radical retropubic prostatectomy was evaluated to determine if men with a faster rate of rise in PSA have locally more extensive prostate cancer. METHODS: Of 368 men who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy, 82 had two to seven PSA measurements between 1.3 and 6.7 years before prostate biopsy for evaluation of PSA velocity. PSA velocity and the pretreatment parameters of PSA, Gleason score, and T stage were evaluated as predictive parameters of pathologic stage. RESULTS: In men with pathologically organ-confined disease, PSA velocity was 1.12 ng/mL/yr; in non-organ-confined cases, it was 1.88 ng/mL/yr. There was a statistically significant relationship between a Gleason score of 7 and above and the pathologic extent of disease. There was no statistically significant relationship between T stage, the PSA at diagnosis, and PSA velocity with respect to final pathologic stage. CONCLUSIONS: PSA velocity is not a strong predictor of pathologic stage in men with localized prostate cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Stage D1 (T1-3, N1-3, M0) prostate cancer: a case-controlled comparison of conservative treatment versus radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: There is no consensus on the management of Stage D1 prostate cancer. The literature suggests that radical prostatectomy, as compared with pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND) alone, may extend survival, Despite evidence that lymph node tumor burden influences cancer survival, few groups of researchers have controlled for this variable when comparing management strategies. We performed a study that was case-controlled for nodal tumor burden to determine if a survival advantage exists for radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Of 168 men with Stage D1 disease diagnosed between 1983 and 1995, 127 underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy (PLND/RRP) and 41 underwent PLND alone. Clinical charts were reviewed for follow-up, and lymph node tumor burden was assessed by volume of nodal metastases and the percentage of positive nodes sampled. Adjuvant treatment was based on the surgeon's preference and clinical situation. Nineteen patients from each group were matched for age, PSA, Gleason score, clinical stage, follow-up, and nodal tumor burden. RESULTS: Comparison of the non-case-controlled PLND/RRP and PLND groups showed no differences in age, prostate-specific antigen level, Gleason score, clinical stage, or follow-up. The nodal tumor burden was greater for the PLND group (P = 0.001). The 10-year cancer-specific survival rates for the PLND/RRP and PLND groups were statistically different (P = 0.006). In the case-controlled group, the results were similar for cancer-specific survival at 10 years (56% and 34%, respectively; P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that in Stage D1 prostate cancer, a trend toward a statistical difference in survival may exist for radical prostatectomy as compared with conservative treatment. Further case-controlled and prospective randomized studies are needed to verify these results.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMed1997

Preliminary immunohistochemical characterization of a monoclonal antibody (PRO:4-216) prepared from human prostate cancer nuclear matrix proteins.

OBJECTIVES: A nuclear matrix protein (PC-1) was previously identified and reported to be present only in human prostate cancer but absent in tissue from the same prostate containing either benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or normal prostate tissue. The PC-1 protein was identified by high resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and exhibited a molecular mass of 56 kDa and an isoelectric point of 6.58. This work investigates the immunohistochemical characterization of PRO:4-216, a monoclonal antibody to PC-1. METHODS: Areas of the 2D-PAGE gels containing the human prostate cancer nuclear matrix proteins near PC-1 were isolated, eluted, and injected into mice to develop monoclonal antibodies. Antibodies were screened by immunofluorescence for nuclear reactivity to a human prostate cancer cell line (LnCaP) and by 1D and 2D Western blots for reactivity with prostate cancer nuclear matrix proteins. Monoclonal antibodies from the selected clones were affinity purified. The monoclonal antibody PRO:4-216 was used to analyze frozen tissue from 20 cancerous, 22 BPH, and 22 normal regions from fresh human prostate specimens. Tissue sections were analyzed for their immunohistochemical (IHC) (horseradish peroxidase) staining. RESULTS: Using a reference value for positive staining at an IHC score of greater than 50, 85% (17 of 20) of the cancerous, 5% (1 of 22) of the BPH, and 9% (2 of 22) of the normal prostate tissues stained positive. The one BPH and two normal tissues that stained positive were taken from prostates in which the adjacent cancerous tissue also demonstrated high IHC scores (greater than 225). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate nuclear reactivity on fresh frozen human prostate cancer tissue for the monoclonal antibody PRO:4-216. PRO:4-216 may aid in distinguishing normal prostate and BPH from cancerous tissue.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Prostate-specific antigen after anatomic radical retropubic prostatectomy. Patterns of recurrence and cancer control.

In a series of 1623 men with a follow-up of 5 +/- 3 years (range 1-13) after anatomic RRP for clinically localized prostate cancer, 17% (276/1623) have shown recurrence. A detectable PSA was the only evidence of recurrence in 7.9%, whereas 2.5% have recurred locally and 5.4% have developed distant metastases. The overall actuarial progression-free rate for these men at 10 years was 68%. Actuarial rates at 10 years were 18% for development of an isolated PSA recurrence, 8% for local recurrence, and 9% for distant recurrence. The actuarial likelihood of a postoperative recurrence increased with increasing clinical stage, Gleason score, preoperative PSA level, and pathologic stage. Although not shown in our previous report, the actuarial rate of recurrence of tumors with a Gleason score of 7 was statistically different from that of tumors of higher Gleason score (8-10). As well, men with preoperative PSA levels of 10.1 to 20 ng/mL experienced recurrence at a significantly lower rate than did men with preoperative PSA levels greater than 20 ng/mL. By using a combination of Gleason score, pathologic stage, and surgical margin status, we demonstrated that the presence of a positive surgical margin did not dramatically affect recurrence in tumors of Gleason scores 2 to 6 with capsular penetration. Surgical margin status was important in high-grade tumors with capsular penetration. In fact, tumors with capsular penetration, Gleason score of at least 7, and a positive surgical margin behaved similarly to tumors with invasion of the seminal vesicles. Preservation of potency did not adversely influence cancer control. The Gleason score, presence or absence of seminal vesicle or lymph node involvement, and the timing of PSA recurrence are all important variables in predicting eventual local versus distant failure associated with an isolated rise in serum PSA. Overall actuarial cause-specific survival at 5 and 10 years was 99% and 93%. Although there was no difference in survival among men grouped by TNM stage or preoperative PSA, advancing histologic grade and pathologic stage did have an effect on actuarial cause-specific survival. Men undergoing RRP for clinically localized prostate cancer showed a 16% actuarial rate of development of metastatic disease at 10 years. This is considerably better than conservative therapy and justifies RRP as the treatment of choice for men with clinically localized disease who are otherwise healthy and have a greater than 10-year life expectancy.

Disease Progression↗

PubMed1997

Primary intracerebral small-cell osteosarcoma in an adolescent girl: report of a case.

A young patient surviving four years after treatment for primary intracerebral small-cell osteosarcoma is reported. This 16-year-old girl presented with headaches, visual disturbance, and papilledema and was found to have a large, heavily calcified mass in the left parietal lobe. A gross total resection of the tumor was performed and pathologic analysis revealed a small-cell osteosarcoma. Thoracic computerized tomography (CT) scans and a complete bone scan showed no other lesions. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She continues to do well with no evidence of metastases or local recurrence 4 years after her initial presentation. The clinical, radiographic, surgical, pathologic, and immunohistochemical features of this case, along with therapeutic interventions and outcome, are presented.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Increasing incidence of minimal residual cancer in radical prostatectomy specimens.

Residual cancer in radical prostatectomy specimens from men with biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma occasionally may be difficult, or even impossible, to identify. Although this finding was recently described as "minimal residual cancer" or the "vanishing cancer phenomenon," there are no data on the incidence of this phenomenon in surgical pathology practice. We evaluated 3,038 consecutive radical prostatectomies performed at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1988 and 1995, excluding cases with a history of transurethral resection, prior therapy with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist, focal Gleason grade 4 or 5, capsular penetration, or a positive surgical margin. Of this group, 84 cases with minimal or no residual cancer were identified. In 60 of these cases, residual cancer was "difficult to find" (mean total volume, 0.03 cc; range, 0.01-0.08 cc); in 20 cases, residual cancers were classified as "minute" (mean total volume, 0.07 cc; range, 0.03-0.13 cc). In four cases, no residual cancer could be identified, including two cases in which the diagnosis of cancer on needle biopsy was confirmed, one case in which review of the diagnostic needle biopsy revealed only high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and one case in which molecular analysis demonstrated mislabeling of the needle biopsy specimen. The annual incidence of minimal residual cancer increased from 0.5% in 1988 to 4% in 1993 and has begun to plateau at 3 to 4% since 1993 (p = 0.0016 for increasing trend). These data confirm the general impression that with more vigilant screening of men for prostate cancer, there has been an associated increase in cancer with little or no residual cancer at radical prostatectomy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1997

Adenocarcinoma of the prostate with atrophic features.

Adenocarcinomas of the prostate with attenuated cytoplasm (i.e., atrophic features) have not been studied formally and represent a diagnostic dilemma to the surgical pathologist. Forty-four cases of adenocarcinoma with atrophic features seen at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions were reviewed. Forty-two cases were seen on needle biopsy, and two were from transurethral resection specimens. Neoplastic atrophic glands were characterized by cells with a paucity of cytoplasm, such that the nuclei occupied almost the entire cell height. Atrophic cancers were defined as cancers with atrophic glands constituting > or = 50% of the tumor. Ony two of 44 patients whose prostatic adenocarcinoma showed atrophic features were on hormone therapy at the time of biopsy. Forty-one cases had an infiltrative pattern of growth. Thirty-nine cases were Gleason grade 3 + 3 = 6. Nuclear size was increased in 39 cases, and macronucleoli were noted in 21 cases. The most useful criteria to establish a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma were (1) an infiltrative pattern of growth, (2) the presence of macronucleoli, (3) increased nuclear size, and (4) the presence of adjacent, nonatrophic cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1997

Diagnosis of Cowper's glands on prostate needle biopsy.

The presence of normal anatomic structures may be a source of confusion to the pathologist examining prostatic needle biopsies. The morphologic features of Cowper's (bulbourethral) glands incidentally biopsied during transrectal sampling of the prostate have not been described. We reviewed seven cases of Cowper's glands found in prostatic core biopsy specimens. Sections containing Cowper's glands were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, mucicarmine, periodic acid-Schiff's-digest (PAS-D), and antibodies directed at high-molecular-weight cytokeratin (HMWCK), prostate-specific acid phosphatase (PSAP), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Ulex europaeus agglutinin, and muscle-specific actin. Histologically, Cowper's glands resemble mucinous minor salivary glands entrapped within fascicles of muscle. Lobules of acini composed of cells distended with mucin (mucicarmine and PAS-D positive) were admixed with ducts and ductules composed of hybrid cells with both mucinous and ductular epithelial features. The HMWCK was strongly reactive with the ductular epithelium and demonstrated an attenuated cell lining at the periphery of lobules. The mucinous cytoplasm reacted with U. europaeus, whereas the ductal elements failed to stain. PSAP stains were negative, with PSA positive in most cases. Muscle-specific actin was positive in three cases. Cowper's glands occasionally may be sampled by transrectal needle biopsy. Recognition of this anatomic structure will allow discrimination from low-grade prostatic adenocarcinoma, foamy gland carcinoma, mucinous metaplasia of prostate glands, and atypical glands of undetermined significance.

Actins↗

PubMed1997

Correlation of prostate needle biopsy and radical prostatectomy Gleason grade in academic and community settings.

Prior studies have not analyzed grading patterns and accuracy in nonacademic sites and have not analyzed reasons for discrepant grades. We analyzed 499 radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens at The Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) from 1994 and compared them with the corresponding JHH needle biopsy Gleason grade and, when available (n = 390), to the outside institution (non-JHH) Gleason biopsy grade. For JHH, there was exact agreement between biopsy and RP in 58% and agreement to within one digit in 93% of cases, compared with 34% and 67%, respectively, for non-JHH. Combining cases into more meaningful groups (Gleason 2-4, 5-6, 7, and 8-10), there was 66% exact correlation between the biopsy and RP for JHH as compared with 45% for non-JHH. Non-JHH undergraded biopsy results more than JHH, with 22.3% and 1.2% Gleason score 2-4, respectively. None of the cases with a Gleason score of 2-4 on biopsy from JHH or non-JHH were Gleason score 2-4 on RP. Fifty-five percent of the tumors with non-JHH needle biopsy results graded Gleason 2-4 had either capsular penetration, seminal vesicle, or lymph node involvement. All of the tumors with needle Gleason score 2-4 at JHH were organ confined. The JHH needle biopsy grade correlated better with pathologic stage than did non-JHH (R = 0.27 JHH vs. R = 0.12 non-JHH). Extent of cancer in the biopsy sample was not a factor in the accuracy of predicting RP grade or stage. Eighty-two cases evaluated at JHH were signed out by a genitourinary pathologist; the grading of the biopsy samples by other JHH pathologists was just as accurate. Gleason score of > or = 7 on the biopsy sample predicted a Gleason score of > or = 7 in the RP 87.5% of the time. A Gleason score of < 7 predicted a Gleason score of < 7 only 63.9% of the time. Discordant grades in some cases reflected patterns of cancer on needle biopsy that were borderline between two different Gleason scores. Sampling was the major source of discrepancy and was often due to the high-grade component in the RP not being present in the biopsy results or due to a component of cancer on the needle reflecting such a small percentage of the pattern seen on RP that this pattern was not included in the final RP Gleason score.

Academic Medical Centers↗

PubMed1997

The significance of intraluminal crystalloids in benign prostatic glands on needle biopsy.

Based on data from autopsy, radical prostatectomy, and cystoprostatectomy specimens, it has been suggested that the finding of intraluminal crystalloids in benign glands on needle biopsy may indicate a concurrent carcinoma; therefore, repeat biopsy is recommended. We studied data from 56 consecutive needle biopsies from the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Dianon Systems in which the diagnosis of intraluminal crystalloids in benign glands was rendered and follow-up data were subsequently obtained. Cases in which crystalloids were present in glands suspicious for cancer, in glands of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, or in adenosis were excluded from the study. Follow-up data included repeat biopsy results and serum prostatic specific antigen levels. Of the 56 men, 31 (55%) had repeat biopsy (two underwent transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP]); the remaining men were either noncompliant or had medical conditions precluding subsequent biopsy. Of the 31 men who underwent repeat biopsies, 23 (74%) had benign diagnoses, one (3%) had high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and seven (23%) had adenocarcinoma. There was no difference in serum prostate-specific antigen values between those with and without cancer on repeat biopsy. In a control population of men with a benign first biopsy not showing crystalloids, the incidence of cancer on repeat biopsy was 16.2%, which was not statistically significantly different from the incidence found in our study group. We conclude that men with prostate biopsy results showing benign glands with crystalloids are at no significantly higher risk of having cancer on repeat biopsy than if crystalloids were not present.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1997

Do close but negative margins in radical prostatectomy specimens increase the risk of postoperative progression?

PURPOSE: When tumor extends close to the margin of resection yet does not extend to the inked edge of the gland, it is unclear whether patients have an adverse prognosis compared to cases with greater distance between the tumor and margin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among radical prostatectomy specimens with negative margins the distance between the most peripheral tumor and the surgical margin of resection was measured in 52 cases with and 49 without progression. All patients had clinically confined disease (stages T1 or T2) with subsequent progression or a minimum 5-year followup without evidence of disease. No patient received preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy or hormonal therapy until progression occurred. All men underwent a postoperative serum prostate specific antigen test to evaluate progression. Seminal vesicles and lymph nodes were pathologically free of tumor. All prostates were serially sectioned, completely embedded and assessable regarding margins of resection. RESULTS: Patients with progression were no more likely to have tumor close to the margin than those without progression. In a regression analysis analyzing the effect of Gleason score, distance between tumor and margin, location of closest margin and pathological stage as related to progression, only grade was predictive of progression (p < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: It is not necessary for pathologists to designate these margins as close, since biologically this finding has no significance. Furthermore, physicians who are involved in treatment of patients after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer should not alter therapy depending on whether margins are reported as close.

Disease Progression↗