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Granulomatous prostatitis on needle biopsy
J R Oppenheimer1, H Kahane, J I Epstein
1Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Md 21287, USA.
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Granulomatous prostatitis (GP) on needle biopsy is often nonspecific (NSGP), mimicking infection or cancer. Histologic features like neutrophils and eosinophils are common in NSGP, distinguishing it from infectious GP, though clinical presentation can be similar to prostate cancer.
Area of Science:
- Uropathology
- Surgical Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Granulomatous prostatitis (GP) is an inflammatory condition of the prostate gland.
- Distinguishing between different types of GP, particularly nonspecific (NSGP) and infectious (IGP), is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- Needle biopsy is a primary diagnostic tool for evaluating prostate abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the pathologic findings of granulomatous prostatitis (GP) on needle biopsy.
- To characterize the histologic features differentiating nonspecific GP (NSGP) from infectious GP (IGP).
- To assess the clinical and histologic mimicry of GP with prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 94 cases of GP from 25,852 needle biopsies (0.36% incidence).
- Classification into nonspecific (NSGP), infectious (IGP), or indeterminate categories based on histology and clinical data.
- Analysis of histologic features including necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltrate (eosinophils, neutrophils), and multinucleated giant cells.
- Correlation with clinical data such as prior Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy, suspected cancer, PSA levels, and imaging findings.
Main Results:
- NSGP was the most common type (77.7%), followed by IGP (18.1%).
- Infectious GP (IGP) cases were associated with prior BCG therapy and caseating necrosis.
- NSGP frequently showed neutrophils (53%) and eosinophils (68%), with rare multinucleated giant cells (31%).
- Both NSGP and IGP could mimic infection or cancer histologically, and clinically presented similarly to prostate cancer, with elevated PSA and abnormal digital rectal exams/ultrasounds.
Conclusions:
- Nonspecific granulomatous prostatitis (NSGP) is the predominant form diagnosed via needle biopsy.
- Histologic features such as neutrophils and eosinophils are characteristic of NSGP, while caseating necrosis suggests IGP.
- Granulomatous prostatitis, particularly NSGP, can present with overlapping clinical and histologic features that mimic prostate cancer, posing diagnostic challenges.