Concordance of gleason score in prostate needle biopsy samples with radical prostatectomy specimen: Comparison of sextant needle biopsy and extended needle biopsy

Since Gleason score is a major independent predictive factor of the outcome of prostate cancer treatment and prognosis, a correct evaluation of Gleason score is very important. We examined the concordance of Gleason score in prostate needle biopsy samples and the corresponding radical retropubic prostatectomy specimen. Radical prostatectomy was performed in 110 patients between January 2003 and February 2005. Diagnosis of prostate cancer was made in 68 cases by transrectal needle biopsy and in 42 cases by transperineal needle biopsy. Clinical characteristics were similar in the 2 groups. Gleason score of the biopsied sample was concordant with that of the prostatectomy specimen in 18 of the 67 cases (27%) and in 19 of the 42 cases (45%) for transrectal needle biopsy and transperineal needle biopsy, respectively. Transperineal needle biopsy (extended biopsy) increased the accuracy of the biopsy, with the Gleason score being more accurately evaluated with extended transperineal biopsy, compared to conventional sextant transrectal biopsy.