Transrectal ultrasonography in the staging of localized prostatic carcinoma. A pilot study.

Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) was evaluated as a staging procedure in ten patients with localized prostatic carcinoma. The ultrasound images were correlated to histopathological whole-mount step sections of the surgical specimens after radical prostatectomy. Nine of the patients had pathological stage T3 (pT3) and only one was pT2. TRUS gave a diagnostic accuracy of 60% compared to 10% both for digital rectal examination (DRE) and computer tomography (CT) in detecting extracapsular tumor spread. We conclude so far that TRUS is superior to DRE and CT in detecting extracapsular tumor spread. Further we state that whole-mount step section of the surgical specimens is mandatory in order to achieve a correct pathological staging (pT-stage).