Correlation between Transrectal Doppler Sonography and Tumour Grade in Nigerian Men with Prostate Carcinoma

Abstract

Abstract Background: Trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) Doppler assessment of the prostate can complement TRUS-guided biopsy of the prostate in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Aim: This study aimed to correlate the trans-rectal Doppler sonography findings and tumour grade in Nigerian men with prostate carcinoma. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study of men counselled for prostate biopsy after a written informed consent was obtained. Patients who met the inclusion criteria had six (sextant) core biopsy samples taken from the peripheral zone of the prostate. In addition, targeted biopsies from areas of increased vascularity on colour Doppler ultrasound outside the six core areas were also included in the study. Pathological results were correlated with the imaging data. Results: Sixty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. The mean age was 70.22 ± 8.91 years. The median Gleason grade was 8.0, indicative of a high-grade tumour among the patients. All 69 patients had prostatic adenocarcinoma on histological examination. Overall, 69.6% had high-grade tumours on TRUS Doppler sonography-guided biopsy, indicating a high percentage of high-grade tumours. There was a statistically significant correlation between the Doppler ultrasoundfindings and Gleason score ( r = 0.837; P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Addition of colour Doppler scan to routine TRUS examination can help map out areas for targeted biopsies during prostate biopsies. Areas of increased vascularity correlated with high Gleason’s grade and tumour grade.