The Impact of MRI-TRUS Cognitively Targeted Biopsy on the Incidence of Pathologic Upgrading After Radical Prostatectomy

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI)-transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) cognitively targeted biopsy in identifying the most significant cancerous lesion in the prostate to decrease the incidence of pathologic upgrading after radical prostatectomy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all radical prostatectomies at the American University of Beirut Medical Center between January 2016 and 2017. Pathology reports for both, TRUS biopsy and surgically resected specimens were analyzed and compared using SPSS. Results: Among 66 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy, 44 patients underwent a standard random 12-core biopsy of the prostate, while 22 patients underwent 4 - 5 cognitively targeted biopsies. Biopsy Gleason scores were compared to surgically resected specimens. Of mp-MRI targeted biopsies, 86% were identical to the surgical specimen, while 14% were upgraded. Of the random biopsy, 55% patients upgraded after surgery, while 38% were concordant with the random biopsy result. Moreover, 13/24 patients who upgraded after random biopsy, did so from Gleason 6 (3+3) to Gleason 7 (3+4). The difference in pathological upgrading among both groups is statistically significant, and confirms the importance of MRI-TRUS cognitively targeted biopsy in identifying the highest risk lesion. This may have significant implications on the choice of treatment prior to embarking on surgical resection of prostate cancer. Conclusion: MRI-TRUS targeted biopsy is more accurate than random biopsy in identifying the most significant cancerous lesion, resulting in a decreased incidence of pathologic upgrading after prostatectomy. This may have significant implications on the choice of treatment especially in low risk prostate cancer. Larger scale multicenter studies are required. World J Nephrol Urol. 2018;7(1):12-16 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/wjnu285w