Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate: Histological pattern of prostatic diseases seen in Sokoto Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Transrectal prostate biopsy is an important procedure in histological confirmation of prostate diagnosis. It is not a common practice in our environment. The aim of this study is to present our experience on transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy, and to evaluate the histological pattern of prostatic diseases seen in our practice.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of the data of all consecutive patients who had the procedure of transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate in our centre from January 2010 to December 2014. Three hundred and nineteen (319) patients with complete records were analyzed. Data were collected from patients' hospital files, and histology laboratory register. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive statistics, and ANOVA were used to analyzed variables in the study population.

Results: The ratio of cancer to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in the study was 0.80. Thirty subjects had prostatitis associated with their histological diagnosis (28 subjects with BPH, 2 subjects with cancer of the prostate), while 2 patients had schistosomiasis of the prostate with BPH. The main indication for prostate biopsy in this study was an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) seen in 65.8% of subjects. The mean age, prostate volume and PSA in the study (n=319) was 65.7±110.10 years, 95.7±861.12mLs, and 50.2±756.43ng/mL. It was 65.34±10.54 years, 90.48±53.51mLs and 18.98±20.48ng/mL in the group with the diagnosis of nodular hyperplasia (n=177). While in those with the diagnosis of prostate cancer (n=142) it was 66.17±9.52 years, 100.77±67.66mLs and 73.86±63.20ng/mL respectively. The main presenting complaint in the study was lower urinary tract symptoms LUTS (89.7%).

Conclusion: BPH and prostate cancer are the most frequently diagnosed prostatic diseases in the study environment where prostatitis is often seen co-existing with BPH. Clinicians in the study area should be aware of schistosomiasis of the prostate in patients with BPH.

Keywords: prostate biopsy, transrectal ultrasound, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic schistosomiasis, prostate cancer