Fine needle aspiration of the prostate gland in the community hospital. A predictive value analysis

Fine needle aspiration cytology of the prostate gland has not been widely accepted into the clinical armamentarium of most urologists, even though its benefits are well recognized. This sluggish acceptance is most likely due to a cautious reluctance on the part of the general pathologist in the community hospital to evaluate these specimens and to uncertainty on the part of the urologist on how to interpret the pathologist's impressions should the pathologist attempt to evaluate the specimens. This article offers a predictive value analysis of the data obtained from four general pathologists after reviewing 50 fine needle aspirations of the prostate.