Age and gleason score upgrading between prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy: Is this still true in the multiparametric resonance imaging era?

Multiparametric MRI to Predict Gleason Score Upgrading and Downgrading at Radical Prostatectomy Compared to Presurgical Biopsy

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the value of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) in predicting Gleason score (GS) upgrading and downgrading in radical prostatectomy (RP) compared with presurgical biopsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and mpMRI data were retrospectively collected from 219 patients with prostate disease between January 2015 and December 2021. All patients underwent systematic prostate biopsy followed by RP. MpMRI included conventional diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors associated with GS upgrading and downgrading after RP. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to estimate the area under the curve (AUC) to indicate the performance of the multivariable logistic regression models in predicting GS upgrade and downgrade after RP.

RESULTS

The GS after RP was upgraded, downgraded, and unchanged in 92, 43, and 84 patients, respectively. The AUCs of the clinical (percentage of positive biopsy cores [PBCs], time from biopsy to RP) and mpMRI models (prostate cancer [PCa] location, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System [PI-RADS] v2.1 score) for predicting GS upgrading after RP were 0.714 and 0.749, respectively. The AUC of the combined diagnostic model (age, percentage of PBCs, tPSA, PCa location, and PI-RADS v2.1 score) was 0.816, which was larger than that of the clinical factors alone (P < 0.001). The AUCs of the clinical (age, percentage of PBCs, ratio of free/total PSA [F/T]) and mpMRI models (PCa diameter, PCa location, and PI-RADS v2.1 score) for predicting GS downgrading after RP were 0.749 and 0.835, respectively. The AUC of the combined diagnostic model (age, percentage of PBCs, F/T, PCa diameter, PCa location, and PI-RADS v2.1 score) was 0.883, which was larger than that of the clinical factors alone (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Combining clinical factors and mpMRI findings can predict GS upgrade and downgrade after RP more accurately than using clinical factors alone.

Risk factors for Gleason score upgrade from prostate biopsy to radical prostatectomy

Accurate identification of prostate cancer Gleason grade group remains an important component of the initial management of clinically localized disease. However, Gleason score upgrading (GSU) from biopsy to radical prostatectomy can occur in up to a third of patients treated with surgery. Concern for disease undergrading remains a source of diagnostic uncertainty, contributing to both over-treatment of low-risk disease as well as under-treatment of higher-risk prostate cancer. This review examines the published literature concerning risk factors for GSU from time of biopsy to prostatectomy final pathology. Risk factors identified for Gleason upgrading include patient demographic and clinical factors including age, body mass index, race, prostate volume, and biomarker based assays, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density, and testosterone values. In addition, prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings have also been associated with GSU. Biopsy-specific characteristics associated with GSU include lower number of biopsy cores and lack of targeted methodology, and possibly increasing percent biopsy core positivity. Recognition of risk factors for disease undergrading may prompt confirmatory testing including repeat sampling or imaging. Continued refinements in imaging guided biopsy techniques may also reduce sampling error contributing to undergrading.

Predictors of Gleason Grading Group Upgrading in Low-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients From Transperineal Biopsy After Radical Prostatectomy

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the predictors of Gleason Grading Group (GGG) upgrading in low-risk prostate cancer (Gleason score=3 + 3) from transperineal biopsy after radical prostatectomy (RP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinical data of 160 patients who underwent transperineal biopsy and RP from January 2017 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. First, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to obtain independent predictors of postoperative GGG upgrading. Then receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of predictors. Finally, Linear-by-Linear Association test was used to analyze the risk trends of patients in different predictor groups in the postoperative GGG.

RESULTS

In this study, there were 81 cases (50.6%) in the GGG concordance group and 79 cases (49.4%) in the GGG upgrading group. Univariate analysis showed age, free/total prostate-specific antigen (f/tPSA), proportion of positive biopsies, positive target of magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) and positive target of contrast-enhanced ultrasound had significant effects on GGG upgrading (all P < .05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age (odds ratio [OR]=1.066, 95%CI=1.007-1.127, P = .027), f/tPSA (OR=0.001, 95%CI=0-0.146, P = .001) and positive target of MRI (OR=3.005, 95%CI=1.353-76.674, P = .007) were independent predictors. The prediction model (area under curve=0.751 P < .001) had higher predictive efficacy than all independent predictors. The proportion of patients in exposed group of different GGG increased with the level of GGG, but decreased in nonexposed group, and the linear trend was significantly different (all P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Age, f/tPSA, and positive target of MRI were independent predictors of postoperative GGG upgrading. The predictive model constructed had the best diagnostic efficacy.

The impact of mpMRI-targeted vs systematic biopsy on the risk of prostate cancer downgrading at final pathology

PURPOSE

Although targeted biopsies (TBx) are associated with improved disease assessment, concerns have been raised regarding the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) overgrading due to more accurate biopsy core deployment in the index lesion.

METHODS

We identified 1672 patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) with a positive mpMRI and ISUP ≥ 2 PCa detected via systematic biopsy (SBx) plus TBx. We compared downgrading rates at RP (ISUP 4-5, 3, and 2 at biopsy, to a lower ISUP) for PCa detected via SBx only (group 1), via TBx only (group 2), and eventually for PCa detected with the same ISUP 2-5 at both SBx and TBx (group 3), using multivariable logistic regression models (MVA).

RESULTS

Overall, 12 vs 14 vs 6% (n = 176 vs 227 vs 96) downgrading rates were recorded in group 1 vs group 2 vs group 3, respectively (p < 0.001). At MVA, group 2 was more likely to be downgraded (OR 1.26, p = 0.04), as compared to group 1. Conversely, group 3 was less likely to be downgraded at RP (OR 0.42, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Downgrading rates are highest when PCa is present in TBx only and, especially when the highest grade PCa is diagnosed by TBx cores only. Conversely, downgrading rates are lowest when PCa is identified with the same ISUP through both SBx and TBx. The presence of clinically significant disease at SBx + TBx may indicate a more reliable assessment of the disease at the time of biopsy potentially reducing the risk of downgrading at final pathology.

A novel biopsy scheme for prostate cancer: targeted and regional systematic biopsy

PURPOSE

To explore a novel biopsy scheme for prostate cancer (PCa), and test the detection rate and pathological agreement of standard systematic (SB) + targeted (TB) biopsy and novel biopsy scheme.

METHODS

Positive needles were collected from 194 patients who underwent SB + TB (STB) followed by radical prostatectomy (RP). Our novel biopsy scheme, targeted and regional systematic biopsy (TrSB) was defined as TB + regional SB (4 SB-needles closest to the TB-needles). The McNemar test was utilized to compare the detection rate performance for clinical significant PCa (csPCa) and clinical insignificant PCa (ciPCa). Moreover, the accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were investigated. The agreement between the different biopsy schemes grade group (GG) and RP GG were assessed. The concordance between the biopsy and the RP GG was evaluated using weighted κ coefficient analyses.

RESULTS

In this study, the overall detection rate for csPCa was 83.5% (162 of 194) when SB and TB were combined. TrSB showed better NPV than TB (97.0% vs. 74.4%). Comparing to STB, the TB-detection rate of csPCa had a significant difference (p < 0.01), while TrSB showed no significant difference (p > 0.999). For ciPCa, the overall detection rate was 16.5% (32 of 194). TrSB showed better PPV (96.6% vs. 83.3%) and NPV (97.6% vs. 92.9%) than TB. Comparing to STB, the detection rate of both schemes showed no significant difference (p = 0.077 and p = 0.375). All three schemes GG showed poor agreement with RP GG (TB: 43.3%, TrSB: 46.4%, STB: 45.9%). Using weighted κ, all three schemes showed no difference (TB: 0.48, TrSB: 0.51, STB: 0.51). In our subgroup analysis (PI-RADS = 4/5, n = 154), all three schemes almost showed no difference (Weighted κ: TB-0.50, TrSB-0.51, STB-0.50).

CONCLUSION

Our novel biopsy scheme TrSB (TB + 4 closest SB needles) may reduce 8 cores of biopsy compared with STB (standard SB + TB), which also showed better csPCa detection rate than TB only, but the same as STB. The pathological agreement between three different biopsy schemes (TB/TrSB/STB) GG and RP GG showed no difference.

Variability of mpMRI diagnostic performance according to the upfront individual patient risk of having clinically significant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

To assess the variation of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) positive predictive value (PPV) according to each patient's risk of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) based exclusively on clinical factors.

METHODS

We evaluated 999 patients with positive mpMRI (PI-RADS ≥ 3) receiving targeted (TBx) plus systematic prostate biopsy. We built a multivariable logistic regression analysis (MVA) using clinical risk factors to calculate the individual patients' risk of harboring csPCa at TBx. A second MVA tested the association between individual patients' clinical risk and mpMRI PPV accounting for the PI-RADS score. Finally, we plotted the PPV of each PI-RADS score by the individual patient pretest probability of csPCa using a LOWESS approach.

RESULTS

Overall, TBx found csPCa in 21%, 51%, and 80% of patients with PI-RADS 3, 4, and 5 lesions, respectively. At MVA, age, PSA, digital rectal examination (DRE), and prostate volume were significantly associated with the risk of csPCa at biopsy. DRE yielded the highest odds ratio (OR: 2.88; p < 0.001). The individual patient's clinical risk was significantly associated with mpMRI PPV (OR: 2.49; p < 0.001) using MVA. Plotting the mpMRI PPV according to the predicted clinical risks, we observed that for patients with clinical risk close to 0 versus patients with risk higher than 90%, the mpMRI PPV of PI-RADS 3, 4, and 5 ranged from 0% to 75%, from 0% to 96%, and from 45% to 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

mpMRI PPV varies according to the individual pretest patient's risk based on clinical factors. These findings should be considered in the decision-making process for patients with suspect MRI findings referred for a prostate biopsy. Moreover, our data support the need for further studies to create an individualized risk prediction tool.

Impact of prostate MRI central review over the diagnostic performance of MRI-targeted biopsy: should we routinely ask for an expert second opinion?

PURPOSE

There is substantial variability in multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) protocols and inter-readers' agreement. We tested the effect of a central mpMRI review on the detection of clinically significant PCa (csPCa) in a tertiary referral center.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 364 consecutive men with a positive externally performed mpMRI (PI-RADS ≥ 3) who underwent a targeted biopsy (TBx) plus a systematic biopsy at a single tertiary referral center (2018-2020). Of those mpMRIs, 32% (n = 116) were centrally reviewed. We compared the detection of csPCa between the non-central-reviewed vs reviewed group. Multivariable logistic regression models (MVA) tested the relationship between mpMRI central review and the detection of csPCa at TBx.

RESULTS

The detection of csPCa at TBx in non-central-reviewed vs central-reviewed group was 41 vs 63%, respectively (p = 0.001). The distribution of PI-RADS 2, 3, 4, and 5 at initial assessment vs after mpMRI central review was 0, 37, 47, and 16% vs 39, 9, 35, and 16%, respectively (p < 0.004). Of 43 patients with initial PI-RADS 3 score, respectively 67, 21, and 12, and 0% had a revised PI-RADS score of ≤ 2, 3, 4, and 5. At MVA, mpMRI central review (OR: 1.65, CI 0.85-0.98) was significantly associated with higher csPCa detection at TBx.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that a central review of external mpMRIs may decrease the overcall of equivocal lesions, namely PI-RADS 3, and should be considered to maximize the clinical benefit of TBx in terms of increasing the detection of csPCa and eventually decreasing the rate of unnecessary biopsies.

Impact of the time elapsed between prostate biopsy and surgery on the accuracy of nomograms predicting lymph node invasion in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer

We aimed to investigate whether the performance characteristics of available nomograms predicting lymph node invasion (LNI) in prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) change according to the time elapsed between diagnosis and surgery. We identified 816 patients who underwent RP with extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) after combined prostate biopsy at 6 referral centers. We plotted the accuracy (ROC-derived area under the curve [AUC]) of each Briganti nomogram according to the time elapsed between biopsy ad RP. We then tested whether discrimination of the nomograms improved after accounting for the time elapsed between biopsy ad RP. The median time between biopsy and RP was 3 months. The LNI rate was 13%. The discrimination of each nomogram decreased with increasing time elapsed between biopsy and surgery, where the AUC of the 2019 Briganti nomogram was 88% vs. 70% for men undergoing surgery <2 vs. >6 months from the biopsy. The addition of the time elapsed between biopsy ad RP improved the accuracy of all available nomograms (P < 0.003), with the Briganti 2019 nomogram showing the highest discrimination. Clinicians should be aware that the discrimination of available nomograms decreases according to the time elapsed between diagnosis and surgery. The indication of ePLND should be carefully evaluated in men below the LNI cut-off who had a diagnosis more than 6 months before RP. This has important implications when considering the longer waiting lists related to the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems.

Does previous prostate surgery affect multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging accuracy in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer? Results from a single institution series

BACKGROUND

Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) has demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for clinically significant PCa (csPCa). However, the accuracy of this test in men that received a previous prostatic surgery is still controversial. We aimed at assessing the effect of previous prostatic surgery on the detection of csPCa in a tertiary referral center.

METHOD

We relied on a cohort of 311 men with a positive mpMRI (prostate imaging - reporting and data system [PI-RADS] ≥ 3) who underwent a targeted (TBx) plus concomitant systematic random biopsy (SBx) at a single tertiary referral center between 2017 and 2020. The study outcome was to compare the detection of csPCa (Gleason score ≥ 3 + 4) between the two groups (no previous prostate surgery [Group 1] vs. previous prostate surgery [Group 2]). Multivariable logistic regression analysis (MVA) was used to assess the relationship between previous prostate surgery and the detection of csPCa at TBx, after taking into account potential clinical confounders.

RESULTS

Overall, 24 (8%) patients received a previous prostate surgery before undergoing mpMRI. Median prostate-specific antigen density was 0.15 versus 0.08 ng/ml/cc, in Group 1 versus 2, respectively. The most frequent finding at mpMRI was in Group 1 versus 2, PI-RADS 4 (55%) versus PI-RADS 3 and 4 (42% each). The majority of patients were biopsy naïve in both Groups 1 (66%) and 2 (71%). The overall detection of csPCa in Group 1 versus 2 was 83% versus 75%, respectively. Differently, the detection of csPCa at TBx in Groups 1 versus 2 was 76% versus 71%, respectively. At MVA, previous prostate surgery (odds ratio: 0.65; p = 0.02) was significantly associated with lower csPCa detection at TBx, after accounting for potential confounders.

CONCLUSION

The presence of previous prostate surgery significantly decreases the accuracy of mpMRI in detecting csPCa. These results should be taken into account when assessing patients with a history of prostatic surgery and a suspicious lesion at mpMRI, to better select those who might avoid an unnecessary biopsy.

Optimized grade group for reporting prostate cancer grade in systematic and MRI-targeted biopsies

PURPOSE

To explore an optimized grade group (oGG) criterion from systematic biopsies (SB) and targeted biopsies (TB) and offer a better prediction of radical prostatectomy (RP) grade group (GG).

METHODS

Positive needles were collected from 146 patients who underwent SB + TB followed by RP. The grade was assigned for two different kinds of biopsies with five GG criteria: (1) global GG (gGG); (2) most common GG (most common GG from SB + TB, mGG); (3) highest GG (highest numerical GG from SB + TB, hGG); (4) largest volume/linear length cancer GG (defined as GG from the SB + TB with the largest length of cancer in a needle, lGG). These biopsy grades were compared (equivalence, upgrade, or downgrade) with the final grade of the RP lesion, using weighted κ coefficients; (5) Then the best agreement of the (2) (3) (4) grading scores from SB or TB was combined to introduce an oGG.

RESULTS

In this study, gGG showed generally poor agreement (47.2%) with RP GG (weighted κ: 0.43). Using the three criteria (mGG, hGG, and lGG) of SB, mGG had the best agreement (55.5%, weighted κ: 0.46), while hGG and lGG had a lower agreement (48.6% and 48.6%, weighted κ: 0.42 and 0.38). Using the three criteria (mGG, hGG and lGG) of TB: lGG had the best agreement (56.8%, weighted κ: 0.43), while mGG and hGG had lower agreement (50.0% and 49.3%, weighted κ: 0.40 and 0.40); Then oGG was generated (higher GG between mGG of SB and lGG of TB) and the agreement of oGG increased to 59.6% and weighted κ was 0.49. Additionally, oGG had a lower upgrade rate than gGG, while the downgrade rate remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

oGG showed better agreement with RP GG than gGG. oGG had a lower upgrade rate than gGG, while downgrade rate remained unchanged.

Grade and stage misclassification in intermediate unfavorable-risk prostate cancer radiotherapy candidates

BACKGROUND

We tested for upgrading (Gleason grade group [GGG] ≥ 4) and/or upstaging to non-organ-confined stage ([NOC] ≥ pT3/pN1) in intermediate unfavorable-risk (IU) prostate cancer (PCa) patients treated with radical prostatectomy, since both change the considerations for dose and/or type of radiotherapy (RT) and duration of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

METHODS

We relied on Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (2010-2015). Proportions of (a) upgrading, (b) upstaging, or (c) upgrading and/or upstaging were tabulated and tested in multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

We identified 7269 IU PCa patients. Upgrading was recorded in 479 (6.6%) and upstaging in 2398 (33.0%), for a total of 2616 (36.0%) upgraded and/or upstaged patients, who no longer fulfilled the IU grade and stage definition. Prostate-specific antigen, clinical stage, biopsy GGG, and percentage of positive cores, neither individually nor in multivariable logistic regression models, discriminated between upgraded and/or upstaged patients versus others.

CONCLUSIONS

IU PCa patients showed very high (36%) upgrading and/or upstaging proportion. Interestingly, the overwhelming majority of those were upstaged to NOC. Conversely, very few were upgraded to GGG ≥ 4. In consequence, more than one-third of IU PCa patients treated with RT may be exposed to suboptimal dose and/or type of RT and to insufficient duration of ADT, since their true grade and stage corresponded to high-risk PCa definition, instead of IU PCa. Data about magnetic resonance imaging were not available but may potentially help with better stage discrimination.