[Sonographic image of prostate cancer]

The echo structures of 325 carcinomas of the prostate gland were analysed out of a total of 2700 transrectal prostate sonographies. In addition, 93 prostate glands from postmortem examinations were examined sonographically in the water bath in order to enable accurate juxtapositioning of interesting sonographic structures and the proper morphological correlates in each case. The echo density of more than one-half of the total number of carcinomas was found to be equal to that of a normal prostate gland, although the carcinomas were characterised by hazy marginal definition or inhomogeneity. However, 12 per cent of the carcinomas proved to be so homogeneous that they could not be diagnosed at all. The remaining carcinomas are of low echo density, with contact to the capsule. High echo density carcinomas are an exception. Sonography is a valuable aid in tumour staging and in therapy control.