L'ecografia transrettale ha un ruolo predittivo nella neoplasia prostatica localizzata?: Is transrectal ultrasonography useful in predicting localised prostatic cancer?

Abstract

Transrectal ultrasonography and pathological data were compared in 72 patients submitted to radical prostatectomy for prostatic cancer. The tumour was hypoechoic in 41 patients (57%) and hyperechoic in 2 patients (3%). In 29 patients (40%) the neoplasia was isoechoic and could not be identified by means of ultrasound. A statistically significant correlation (p < 0.001) was observed between Gleason's score and the size and echogenicity of the neoplasia. A high percentage of tumours, even those of a large size and with a high grading, cannot be identified by transrectal ultrasonography. Transrectal echography alone is therefore unreliable in diagnosing prostatic cancer. In our experience 29% of tumours larger than 1 cm were not identified.