Clinical interpretation of the prostate biopsy

Pathologic evaluation of the prostate biopsy provides the clinician with a wealth of information. Identifying needle biopsy parameters predictive of pathological stage and tumor volume at radical prostatectomy has become a major focus in the field of prostate pathology. From a review of the literature, the following factors are strongly predictive of extraprostatic disease; tumor involvement of greater than 25%, greater than two positive cores, cancer involvement greater than 3 mm, and perineural invasion. Such information could prove useful in patient counseling and identifying high-risk patients who may be good candidates for adjuvant therapy trials.