Purpose: The optimal method to process radical prostatectomy specimens to maximize the detection of adverse pathological features is unclear and accurate staging is critical. We compare the ability of whole mounted sections to detect these features compared to partially submitted radical prostatectomy specimens.
Materials and methods: A total of 93 consecutive radical prostatectomy specimens were processed as whole mounts. Tissue sections were analyzed and the pathological outcomes measured included Gleason score, surgical margin status, and presence or absence of extraprostatic tumor extension and/or seminal vesicle invasion. The pathological outcomes of the preceding cohort were compared to those of a similar cohort consisting of 554 men whose radical prostatectomy specimens were processed as partially submitted glands.
Results: A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of the method of tissue processing on the pathological outcomes. When considered alone or adjusted for various preoperative patient characteristics (prostate specific antigen, biopsy Gleason score and clinical stage), there were no significant differences in the ability of whole mounted specimens to detect the various outcomes compared to partially submitted specimens (all p >0.4).
Conclusions: Whole mounted sampling of the radical prostatectomy specimen does not improve detection of adverse pathological features.