An abbreviated standard procedure for accurate tumor volume estimation in prostate cancer

Quantitated tumor volume is reported to be the single most important morphologic predictor for lymph node metastasis and distant spread in the individual patient with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. There is a practical need for a system of tumor volume estimation that avoids the serial blocking of prostatectomy specimens required by standard techniques. Accordingly, in 145 prostatectomy specimens, cancer volumes obtained from computer planimetry of the full set of slides were compared with cancer volumes estimated visually in samples with fewer than half the standard number of slides selected according to three abbreviated protocols. Two of these abbreviated protocols gave cancer volume estimates that were within +/- 20% of the computer value on the full slide set in 96% and 89% of cases. These findings define a simple and relatively inexpensive procedure for deriving important prognostic information in a systematic fashion from the morphologic data obtained in prostatectomy specimens for adenocarcinoma of the prostate.