[Role of 3D-ultrasonography in the assessment of transitional zone PSA]

Valute 3 TRUS to study the transitional zone of the prostate to calculate the PSA density Tz in patient with first negative biopsy, PSA Tot > 4 ng/ml and clinical suspicion of cancer.

During a 12 months period we performed 429 biopsies. All patients had PSA = 4-10 ng/ml and/or suspected DRE. We repeated biopsy in 35 patients with PSA > 4 ng/ml, normal DRE but clinical suspicion of cancer. We used 3 TRUS to calculate the PSA density Tz and we performed standard sextant biopsies and additionally two biopsies of the transitional zone one on each side.

Of the 429 patients, 304 (70.8%) had IPB, 100 (23.3%) had cancer in peripherical and/or apex zone, 25 (5.9%) cancer in the transitional zone only.

The use of 3 DUS is very important to study and estimate the volume of the transitional zone to calculate the PSA density Tz. The clear visualization of the Tz permit a careful execution of the biopsy. The biopsy of the TZ is not a method for the early detection to cancer prostate but only for specifics cases: negative first biopsy, negative DRE, PSA Tot > 4 ng/ml and clinical suspicion of cancer.