Predictors of prostate cancer in ultrasound-guided transperineal saturation biopsy in Turkish men with multiple prior negative biopsies

BACKGROUND: Transperineal prostate biopsy (STPB) is associated with an improved cancer detection rate and an increase in anterior and apical prostate cancers compared to standard transrectal biopsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 48 men with at least two sets of prior prostate biopsies underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided STPB. Prostate rebiopsy indications were serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels greater than 2.5 ng/mL and/or abnormal digital rectal examination and/or presence of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN; ≥2 cores) or atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP) at previous biopsies. The procedure was performed at dorsal lithotomy position under general anesthesia using a perineal 0.5 cm brachytherapy template attached to the transrectal ultrasound probe. Specimens from each zone were sent separately for pathological examination.

RESULTS: Mean PSA level at STPB was 15.9 ng/mL (range 4.03 to 59.57). An average of 54.5 cores was obtained. Prostate adenocarcinoma was detected in 15 of 48 (31%) patients. Mean percentage of malignant cores was 11.9%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age and presence of ASAP or HGPIN at previous biopsies were independent predictors of prostate cancer (p<0.05). No major complications, including sepsis and severe urinary or rectal bleeding, were observed in any of the patients. Five patients (10%) developed acute urinary retention after the procedure requiring urethral catheterization.

CONCLUSIONS: Considerable number of patients with negative multiple biopsies were diagnosed with prostate cancer. STPB is a well-tolerated procedure with minimal morbidity, which can be considered for the diagnosis of prostate cancer in patients with previous negative biopsies.