PROSTATE BIOPSY IN THE STAGING OF PROSTATE-CANCER

The use of prostate biopsies was developed in parallel with progress i n our knowledge of prostate cancer and the use of prostate-specific an tigen (PSA). Prostate biopsies were initially indicated for the diagno sis of cancer, by the perineal approach under general anesthesia. Nowa days prostate biopsies are not only for diagnostic purposes but also t o determine the prognosis, particularly before radical prostatectomy. They are performed in patients with elevated PSA levels, by the endore ctal approach, sometimes under local anesthesia.((1-3)) The gold stand ard is the sextant biopsy technique described by Hodge(4,5) which is b est to diagnose prostate cancer, particularly in case of Tie disease ( patients with serum PSA elevation).(6-13) Patients with a strong suspi cion of prostate cancer from a negative series of biopsies can undergo a second series(14,15) with transition zone biopsy(16,17) Or lateral biopsy.(18,19) Karakiewicz et al(20) and Uzzo et al(21) proposed that the number of prostate biopsies should depend on prostate volume to im prove the positivity rate. After the diagnosis of prostate cancer, ini tial therapy will depend on several prognostic factors. In the case of radical prostatectomy, the results of sextant biopsy provide a wealth of information.(22,23) The aim of this report is to present the infor mation given by prostate biopsy in the staging of prostate cancer.