Herein, the authors compare morbidity in men who underwent both transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS) prostate biopsy and transperineal mapping biopsy (TPMB) at two institutions with extensive experience in both procedures. We also identified strategies and predictive factors to reduce morbidity for both procedures. In our study, 379 men from two institutions, of which 265 (69.9%) had a prior TRUS-guided biopsy, also had TPMB performed via a template with biopsies taken at 5-mm intervals. Men in the TRUS group had a median of 12 cores sampled whereas the TPMB group had 51.5 (range, 16-151). The median biopsy density was 1.1 core/cc prostate volume. Median age and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level were 65 years (range, 34-86) and 5.5 ng/mL (range, 0.02-118). Of these men, 11 of 265 (4.2%) who had TRUS biopsy developed urinary tract infection compared with 3 of 379 (0.79%) of those with mapping biopsy. Infection was 14.8% in TRUS biopsy group with 13 or more cores versus 2.9% in those with 12 or less (OR, 5.8; 95% CI, 1.6-21.2; P = 0.003). No men developed retention after TRUS biopsy whereas 30 of 379 (7.9%) did following TPMB. Older age, larger prostate volume (PV), and higher core number were associated with retention. On linear regression only age (P = 0.010) and PV (P = 0.016) remained as significant associations. Men older than 65 years had 12.8% versus 3.9% (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.6-8.4, P = 0.001) and PV greater than 42 cc had 13.4% versus 2.7% (OR, 5.7; 95% CI, 2.1-15.1) retention incidence. In the present study TPMB is rarely associated with infection (0.78%) but more commonly with urinary retention (7.9%). Men older than 65 years and with PV greater than 42 cc were at four to five times greater retention risk. Consideration should be given to discharging these men with a urinary catheter following TPMB.
Evidence suggests lower nadir testosterone levels during the first year of androgen deprivation therapy improve advanced prostate cancer clinical outcomes. We evaluated pivotal trials for subcutaneously administered leuprolide acetate (1-, 3-, 4-, and 6-month doses) to determine nadir testosterone levels. Pooled analysis showed 99%, 97%, and 91% of patients reached nadir testosterone ≤20, ≤10, and ≤5 ng/dL respectively (median ≤3 ng/dL). Across all available categories, $88% of patients reached nadir testosterone ≤5 ng/dL, and <3% experienced a microsurge. Achievement and maintenance of low nadir testosterone levels may improve progression-free survival and time to onset of castrate-resistant prostate cancer.
To compare prostate cancer (PCa) characteristics diagnosed by prostate biopsy (Pbx) in the 3 years before and after the 2012 United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for PCa screening, we completed a retrospective comparative analysis of 402 sequential PCa patients diagnosed from 2010 to 2012 (3 years) with 552 PCa patients diagnosed from 2015 to 2017 (3 years). Data was collected on patient age, race, total number of biopsies performed, prostate specific antigen (PSA), Gleason sum score (GSS), and digital rectal examination (DRE). The data was analyzed to determine whether the 2012 USPSTF screening recommendations affected PCa characteristics. Two study groups were defined, Group A and Group B, prior to and after the 2012 USPSTF screening recommendations, respectively. In Group A (pre- 2012 USPSTF recommendations), 567 patients/year underwent a Pbx versus Group B, 398 patients/year, a 30% reduction post-USPSTF. The annual positive Pbx rate for Group A is 134/year versus Group B 184/year, a 37.3% increase post-USPSTF. Group A had high-grade PCa (GSS 7-10) in 51.5% versus Group B in 60.1%, an 8.6% increase post-USPSTF. In Group B, the total number of positive biopsies was increased by 100%. This study shows that in Group B, the Pbx rate decreased by 30% but the annual PCa detection rate increased by 37%. High-grade GSS (7-10) PCa increased by 8.6%. Despite a reduction in the total number of prostate biopsies by 30%, there was a 100% increase in the total number of positive prostate biopsies.
We report changes in the histopathology of prostate cancer diagnosed in a large urology group practice after the final United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Grade D recommendation against prostate-specific antigen screening. All prostate biopsies performed from 2011 through 2015 in a large urology group practice were retrospectively reviewed; 2012 was excluded as a transition year. The changes in biopsy data in years following the USPSTF decision (2013-2015) were then compared with baseline (2011). A total of 10,944 biopsies were evaluated during the study period. Positive biopsy rates rose from 39.1% at baseline to 45.2% in 2015 (P < 0.01) with a marked shift toward more aggressive cancer throughout the study period. The absolute number of patients presenting with Gleason Grade Group 4 or 5 increased from 155/year at baseline to 231, 297, and 285 in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively (P < 0.05), unrelated to age or racial changes over time. Black men represented 16% of the cohort. Since the USPSTF recommendation against prostate cancer screening, trends toward a substantial upward grade migration and increased volume of cancers were noted in a cohort of nearly 11,000 patients in a real-world clinical practice. Additionally, continuing reductions in cancer detection in the United States may exacerbate these trends.