High-grade prostatic adenocarcinoma present in a single biopsy core is associated with increased extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion, and positive surgical margins at prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the pathologic outcome of prostate-specific antigen-screened patients with high-grade (Gleason score ≥ 8) prostate cancer limited to 1 biopsy core, without clinical evidence of disease.

METHODS

Ninety-two patients with only 1 biopsy core with cancer and treated by radical prostatectomy were divided into 4 groups according to the biopsy Gleason score: 3 + 3 = 6 (23 cases), 3 + 4 = 7 (25 cases), 4 + 3 = 7 (20 cases), and ≥ 8 (24 cases).

RESULTS

Cases with Gleason score ≥ 8 showed a significantly higher proportion of extraprostatic extension (50%), positive surgical margins (21%), and seminal vesicle invasion (12%) when compared with the other groups. Patients with Gleason score ≥ 8 in the biopsy had a 25-fold increased in the odds ratio for extraprostatic extension in the prostatectomy. The incidence of extraprostatic extension was higher in those with prostatic cancer involving ≥ 50% of one core (88%) compared with cases involving <50% (32%).

CONCLUSION

In patients with prostate cancer limited to 1 biopsy core, the presence of Gleason score ≥ 8 significantly increased the incidence of extraprostatic extension, positive surgical margins, and seminal vesicle invasion. The odds ratio was substantially higher in patients with ≥ 50% of Gleason ≥ 8 in the biopsy core. These data might be taken into account for proper clinical management of this set of patients.