Routinely, after receiving prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing and digital rectum examination, patients with suspected prostate cancer are required to undergo prostate biopsy. However, the ability of ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy to detect prostate cancer is limited. Nowadays, a variety of diagnostic methods and more sensitive diagnostic methods, such as multi-parameter prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) can be applied clinically. Furthermore, laparoscopic/robot-assisted prostatectomy is also a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. So maybe it is time to reconsider the necessary to perform prostate biopsy before radical prostatectomy.

To explore the feasibility of radical prostatectomy without prostate biopsy in the era of new imaging technology and minimally invasive techniques.

From June 2014 to November 2018, 11 cases of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy without prostate biopsy were performed at the three tertiary medical centers involved in this study. All patients received prostate magnetic resonance imaging and prostate cancer was suspected, including six patients with positive 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT results. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection were performed for all patients.

All surgeries were accomplished successfully. The mean age was 69 ± 7.7 year, the mean body mass index was 24.7 ± 1.6 kg/m2, the range of serum PSA was 4.3 to >1000 ng/mL, and the mean prostate volume was 40.9 ± 18.3 mL. The mean operative time was 96 ± 23.3 min, the mean estimated blood loss was 90 ± 90.9 mL, and the median duration of catheter placement was 14 d. The final pathology confirmed that all specimens were prostate cancer except one case of benign prostatic hyperplasia. No major complications occurred in 90 d postoperatively.

The current practice of mandating a prostatic biopsy before prostatectomy should be reconsidered in the era of new imaging technology and minimally invasive techniques. Radical prostatectomy could be carried out without the evidence of malignancy. Large-sample randomized controlled trials are definitely required to confirm the feasibility of this new concept.

World journal of clinical cases. 2019 Jun 26 [Epub]

Nian-Zeng Xing, Ming-Shuai Wang, Qiang Fu, Fei-Ya Yang, Chang-Ling Li, Ya-Jian Li, Su-Jun Han, Ze-Jun Xiao, Hao Ping

Department of Urology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China. ., Institute of Urology, Capital Medical University, Department of Urology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China., Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China., Department of Urology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China., Department of Urology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, China.

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