Prostate Biopsy Core Handling: Comparison of Contemporary Preembedding Methods

The probability of prostate cancer detection is related to the amount of tissue represented. For optimal tissue representation, the specimens should preserve their regular cylindrical shape and avoid artefacts and deformation caused by fixation and preembedding. The aim of our study was to compare contemporary preembedding methods including a new method of using thick cardboard.

To compare the preembedding methods, we took 36 nonfragmented cores from fresh prostatectomy specimens for each method, fixed them in formalin and made histological slides. The comparison criteria were a core section area in the middle section and the number of fragments per core after processing.

Two methods (preembedding on the edge of thick cardboard and on biplicated paper) provided a bigger section area of specimens. The differences in amounts of fragments were very small among the methods mentioned above and the preembedding glass with grooves, but preembedding between two sponges in a histological cassette showed higher fragmentation.

Preembedding on the edge of thick cardboard and on biplicated paper can be recommended as effective methods of prostate biopsy core fixation. Paper or cardboard for fixation of prostate biopsy cores should be presoaked with formalin or normal saline.