Extreme Gleason Upgrading From Biopsy to Radical Prostatectomy: A Population-based Analysis

Urology. 2016 Oct:96:148-155. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2016.04.058. Epub 2016 Jun 14.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the risk factors associated with the odds of extreme Gleason upgrading at radical prostatectomy (RP) (defined as a Gleason prognostic group score increase of ≥2), we utilized a large, population-based cancer registry.

Materials and methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiologic, and End Results database was queried (2010-2011) for all patients diagnosed with Gleason 3 + 3 or 3 + 4 on prostate needle biopsy. Available clinicopathologic factors and the odds of upgrading and extreme upgrading at RP were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression.

Results: A total of 12,459 patients were identified, with a median age of 61 (interquartile range: 56-65) and a diagnostic prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of 5.5 ng/mL (interquartile range: 4.3-7.5). Upgrading was observed in 34% of men, including 44% of 7402 patients with Gleason 3 + 3 and 19% of 5057 patients with Gleason 3 + 4 disease. Age, clinical stage, diagnostic PSA, and % prostate needle biopsy cores positive were independently associated with odds of any upgrading at RP. In baseline Gleason 3 + 3 disease, extreme upgrading was observed in 6%, with increasing age, diagnostic PSA, and >50% core positivity associated with increased odds. In baseline Gleason 3 + 4 disease, extreme upgrading was observed in 4%, with diagnostic PSA and palpable disease remaining predictive. Positive surgical margins were significantly higher in patients with extreme upgrading at RP (P < .001).

Conclusion: Gleason upgrading at RP is common in this large population-based cohort, including extreme upgrading in a clinically significant portion.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Prostatectomy* / methods
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors