Diagnostic Value of Transrectal Ultrasonography for Prostatic Cancer

Jeon, Youn Soo; Kim, Min Eui

Abstract

Transrectal ultrasonography is the most effective imaging method of prostate and it is known as an useful mean to detect and evaluate prostatic cancer. We performed transrectal ultrasonography for 200 patients with prostatism, 101 of which were diagnosed subsequently pathologically by prostatic biopsy or operation. Of 27 patients of sonographically suspicious prostatic cancer 10 were confirmed pathologically as cancer, and thered were another 4 patients with prostatic cancer which were classified to benign disease sonographically. The sensitivity and specificity of transrectal ultrasonography in diagnosis of prostatic cancer were 71.4 and 80.5 %. respectively, but the positive predictive value only 37%. The results do not seem that transrectal ultrasonography is superior to digital rectal examination in diagnosis of prostatic cancer. In identifying extracapsular extension of prostatic cancer, transrectal ultrasonography is thought to be potentially valuable, but further experiences are necessary.