Outcome of sextant biopsy according to gland volume

Objectives. To reassess positive rate of sextant biopsy according to gland size. Methods. We evaluated 1974 consecutive men with systematic sextant biopsy, among whom we examined biopsy yield according to gland-volume intervals of 10 cc. Results. Decreasing yield of sextant biopsy is strongly associated with increasing gland volume (P <0.001). Highest biopsy rate (39.6%) was recorded among men with prostates smaller than 20 cc. The lowest biopsy rate (10.1%) was recorded among men with prostates between 80 and 89.9 cc. Among men with biopsy-proven cancer, age, serum prostate-specific antigen, and Gleason grade were comparable (P >0.05) throughout the range of gland-volume intervals. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that gland size represents an important determinant contributing to the yield of sextant biopsy in men at risk of harboring a nonpalpable, isoechoic cancer. Consequently, an individualized sector biopsy approach, based on prostate volume, may warrant consideration because it may ensure superior detection of clinically significant disease among all-men at risk, regardless of prostate size. Copyright 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc.