Atypical diagnosis in prostate needle biopsies from a developing country (Philippines): The essential role of a urological pathologist

Purpose: Borderline prostatic lesions, with insufficient histomorphologic features, to be definitely diagnosed as prostatic adenocarcinoma (PCa) are often signed out as “atypical glands suspicious for carcinoma” or atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP). These findings that eventually warrant ei...

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Main Authors: Cecille Marie Julienne B. Yañez, Jeffrey S. So
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2015-12-01
Series:Prostate International
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2287888215000641
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author Cecille Marie Julienne B. Yañez
Jeffrey S. So
author_facet Cecille Marie Julienne B. Yañez
Jeffrey S. So
author_sort Cecille Marie Julienne B. Yañez
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: Borderline prostatic lesions, with insufficient histomorphologic features, to be definitely diagnosed as prostatic adenocarcinoma (PCa) are often signed out as “atypical glands suspicious for carcinoma” or atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP). These findings that eventually warrant either immunohistochemical (IHC) studies or a repeat biopsy, prove to be more burdensome to patients in developing countries (such as the Philippines), where health care is not as progressive nor is it an utmost priority. At the same time, in countries like the Philippines, there is a shortage of urological pathologists. Methods: In this study, we compared the transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate (TRUS) biopsies signed out by general surgical pathologists in St. Luke's Medical Center Quezon City from 2008–2010, and the TRUS Biopsies primarily signed out by a urologic pathologist in both St. Luke's Medical Center Quezon City and Global City from July 2013 to July 2014, and from September 2013 to July 2014, respectively. Results: From 2008 to 2010, 30.6% (129 of 421) of the cases were signed out as atypical. Of these, 79 underwent IHC staining, 21 (26.6%) of which were eventually signed out as PCa. Compared to those signed out in 2013 to 2014 by our genitourinary pathologist, only 16.6% (39 of 235) of the cases were signed out as atypical. Of these, 16 underwent IHC staining, with 15 (93%) of them being definitively diagnosed as PCa. Among the 21 cases wherein a repeat biopsy was recommended, only three followed and two of these had findings of PCa on repeat biopsy. Looking at our 16.6% rate of atypicals and subtracting those that were eventually established as PCa after IHCs, our atypicals would be down to 10% (24/235) in 2013–2014 compared to 25.7% (108/421) in 2008–2010. Conclusions: These results highlight the critical role a specialist has in the field of urological pathology, especially in developing countries. It is in the diagnosis of PCa in needle biopsies that a urological pathologist impacts the use of an atypical diagnosis, by ensuring its judicious use. This ultimately benefits the patients, by lessening unwarranted expenses through the decreased dependence on IHC staining and if necessary, a repeat biopsy.
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spelling doaj.art-ec039c584b534af385edfb914f9b29542023-09-03T09:31:18ZengElsevierProstate International2287-88822015-12-013411511710.1016/j.prnil.2015.09.007Atypical diagnosis in prostate needle biopsies from a developing country (Philippines): The essential role of a urological pathologistCecille Marie Julienne B. Yañez0Jeffrey S. So1Institute of Pathology, St. Luke Medical Center-Quezon City, Quezon City, PhilippinesInstitute of Pathology, St. Luke Medical Center-Quezon City, Quezon City, PhilippinesPurpose: Borderline prostatic lesions, with insufficient histomorphologic features, to be definitely diagnosed as prostatic adenocarcinoma (PCa) are often signed out as “atypical glands suspicious for carcinoma” or atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP). These findings that eventually warrant either immunohistochemical (IHC) studies or a repeat biopsy, prove to be more burdensome to patients in developing countries (such as the Philippines), where health care is not as progressive nor is it an utmost priority. At the same time, in countries like the Philippines, there is a shortage of urological pathologists. Methods: In this study, we compared the transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate (TRUS) biopsies signed out by general surgical pathologists in St. Luke's Medical Center Quezon City from 2008–2010, and the TRUS Biopsies primarily signed out by a urologic pathologist in both St. Luke's Medical Center Quezon City and Global City from July 2013 to July 2014, and from September 2013 to July 2014, respectively. Results: From 2008 to 2010, 30.6% (129 of 421) of the cases were signed out as atypical. Of these, 79 underwent IHC staining, 21 (26.6%) of which were eventually signed out as PCa. Compared to those signed out in 2013 to 2014 by our genitourinary pathologist, only 16.6% (39 of 235) of the cases were signed out as atypical. Of these, 16 underwent IHC staining, with 15 (93%) of them being definitively diagnosed as PCa. Among the 21 cases wherein a repeat biopsy was recommended, only three followed and two of these had findings of PCa on repeat biopsy. Looking at our 16.6% rate of atypicals and subtracting those that were eventually established as PCa after IHCs, our atypicals would be down to 10% (24/235) in 2013–2014 compared to 25.7% (108/421) in 2008–2010. Conclusions: These results highlight the critical role a specialist has in the field of urological pathology, especially in developing countries. It is in the diagnosis of PCa in needle biopsies that a urological pathologist impacts the use of an atypical diagnosis, by ensuring its judicious use. This ultimately benefits the patients, by lessening unwarranted expenses through the decreased dependence on IHC staining and if necessary, a repeat biopsy.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2287888215000641AtypicalProstateUrological pathologist
spellingShingle Cecille Marie Julienne B. Yañez
Jeffrey S. So
Atypical diagnosis in prostate needle biopsies from a developing country (Philippines): The essential role of a urological pathologist
Prostate International
Atypical
Prostate
Urological pathologist
title Atypical diagnosis in prostate needle biopsies from a developing country (Philippines): The essential role of a urological pathologist
title_full Atypical diagnosis in prostate needle biopsies from a developing country (Philippines): The essential role of a urological pathologist
title_fullStr Atypical diagnosis in prostate needle biopsies from a developing country (Philippines): The essential role of a urological pathologist
title_full_unstemmed Atypical diagnosis in prostate needle biopsies from a developing country (Philippines): The essential role of a urological pathologist
title_short Atypical diagnosis in prostate needle biopsies from a developing country (Philippines): The essential role of a urological pathologist
title_sort atypical diagnosis in prostate needle biopsies from a developing country philippines the essential role of a urological pathologist
topic Atypical
Prostate
Urological pathologist
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2287888215000641
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AT jeffreysso atypicaldiagnosisinprostateneedlebiopsiesfromadevelopingcountryphilippinestheessentialroleofaurologicalpathologist