Prostatitis and aspiration biopsy cytology of prostate

Aspiration biopsy of the prostate is contraindicated when active prostatitis is present. However, we have found prostatitis in 45.2 percent of 250 consecutive aspiration biopsy specimens, confirming that urologists have difficulty in distinguishing prostatitis from carcinoma on a clinical basis. The epithelial changes accompanying prostatitis also may be confused with carcinoma. We review the microscopic features which distinguish prostatitis from carcinoma. Because 14.1 percent of the patients with prostatitis in this study also had carcinoma, repeat follow-up biopsy is necessary if suspicion of carcinoma persists after adequate therapy for prostatitis.