Perineural and lymphovascular invasion on prostatic biopsy: pathological assessment and significance

The importance of Gleason grade on prostatic needle biopsy specimens is widely accepted as a significant histopathological prognostic factor in the assessment of prostatic carcinoma. However, the value of other pathological variables used in the reporting of prostatic needle biopsies such as perineural or lymphovascular invasion is more controversial. This review examines the evidence for the utility of these pathological factors as prognostic indicators for prostatic carcinoma and the limitations in their assessment on needle biopsies.