Disparities on prostate cancer survival in Mexico: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prostate cancer (PC) survival in Mexico and explore survival disparities according to the marginalization level of residence place. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nationwide administrative claims database (4 110 men) whose PC treatment was financed by Seguro Popular between 2012-2016, was cross-linked to the National Mortality Registry up to December 2019. Patients were classified according to their oncological risk at diagnosis and the marginalization level of the residence municipality. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate multivariable survival functions. RESULTS: Five-years PC survival (69%; 95%CI: 68,71%) ranged from 72% to 54% at very low and very high marginalization, respectively (p for trend<0.001). The lowest PC survival was observed in men with high-risk PC (47%; 95%CI: 33,66%) residents in very high marginalization municipalities. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, PC survival was lower than that reported in other Latin American countries. The distribution of oncologic risk and survival differences across marginalization levels suggests limited early detection and cancer health disparities.

Association between life-course leisure-time physical activity and prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between life-course leisure-time physical activity (PA) and prostate cancer (PC) among males living in Mexico City. Materials and meth-ods. Information from 394 incident PC cases and 794 popula-tion controls matched by age (± 5 years), was analyzed. Using leisure-time PA information at different life stages, life-course PA patterns were constructed. The association between PA and PC was estimated using an unconditional logistic regres-sion model. RESULTS: Three life-course PA patterns were identified: low PA (71.0%), moderate PA (22.0%), and high PA (7.0%); this last pattern was characterized by higher levels and consistent PA practice. Compared with inactive males, those in the high PA pattern (OR: 0.50; 95%CI: 0.26-0.93) had significantly lower PC odds. CONCLUSION: Intense and regular PA could reduce the possibility of PC. These results are in accordance with PA World Health Organization rec-ommendations.

Urological Cancers and Kidney Transplantation: a Literature Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to provide an overview of epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment of urological malignancies in renal transplant recipients (RTR). RECENT FINDINGS: Although optimal immunosuppressive therapy and cancer management in these patients remain controversial, adherence to general guidelines is recommended. Kidney transplantation is recognized as the standard of care for the treatment of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) as it offers prolonged survival and better quality of life. In the last decades, survival of RTRs has increased as a result of improved immunosuppressive therapy; nonetheless, the risk of developing cancer is higher among RTRs compared to the general population. Urological malignancies are the second most common after hematological cancer and often have more aggressive behavior and poor prognosis.

Short- and Mid-Term Impact of Tobacco Smoking on Donor Renal Function Following Living Kidney Donation at a Tertiary Referral Hospital.

BACKGROUND: The negative impact of tobacco smoking on renal function has been widely studied. However, there is limited knowledge about the effect of smoking on pre-operative and post-operative renal function in living kidney donors. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the short- and mid-term impact of smoking on donor renal function. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 308 patients who underwent living donor nephrectomy (LDN) at a tertiary referral hospital. We compared baseline characteristics as well as functional outcomes following LDN according to history of tobacco smoking. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated with the modification of diet in renal disease equation in 6 time periods: pre-operative, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after surgery. We performed a Kaplan-Meier analysis for chronic kidney disease (CKD) outcome and binary logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors associated with CKD at 24 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Among donors, 106 (34.4%) reported a smoking history before nephrectomy. Smoking donors had worse pre-operative eGFR than non-smokers (90 ± 26.3 mL/min/1.73m2 vs. 96 ± 27 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively; p = 0.02) and lower eGFR at 1 week (p = 0.01), 1 month (p ≤ 0.01), 6 months (p = 0.01), and 12 months (p = 0.01) after LDN. Tobacco smoking (OR 3.35, p ≤ 0.01) and age ≥ 40 years at donation (OR 6.59, p ≤ 0.01) were associated with post-operative development of CKD at 24 months after LDN. CONCLUSIONS: Living kidney donors with a tobacco smoking history had an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease following nephrectomy. Smoking-cessation strategies should be implemented.

Perioperative fosfomycin disodium prophylaxis against urinary tract infection in renal transplant recipients: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infectious complication in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Fosfomycin (FOS) is an attractive alternative for prophylaxis because it does not interact with immunosuppressants; although 90% is excreted unchanged in the urine, it does not require adjustment for renal function for single dose prophylaxis. METHODS: RTRs were recruited into this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were randomized (1:1) to receive one 4 g dose of FOS disodium intravenously 3 h (FOS group) or placebo (placebo group) before placement and removal of a urinary catheter and before removal of a double-J ureteral stent. All participants received prophylaxis with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The main outcome was a comparison of the mean number of symptomatic UTI and asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) episodes per patient during a 7-week follow-up period. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NTC03235947. RESULTS: Eighty-two participants were included (41 in the FOS group and 41 in placebo group). The mean number of AB or symptomatic UTI episodes per patient was lower in the FOS group [intention-to-treat (ITT) 0.29 versus 0.60, P = 0.04]. The incidence of symptomatic UTI was lower in the FOS group (ITT, 7.3% versus 36.6%, P = 0.001), and there was no difference in the incidence of AB between both groups. The incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: FOS addition is an effective and safe strategy to reduce the number of symptomatic UTIs during the first 7 weeks after renal transplant.

Small renal masses in Latin-American population: characteristics and prognostic factors for survival, recurrence and metastasis - a multi-institutional study from LARCG database.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate demographic, clinical and pathological characteristics of small renal masses (SRM) (≤ 4 cm) in a Latin-American population provided by LARCG (Latin-American Renal Cancer Group) and analyze predictors of survival, recurrence and metastasis. METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective cohort study of 1523 patients submitted to surgical treatment for non-metastatic SRM from 1979 to 2016. Comparisons between radical (RN) or partial nephrectomy (PN) and young or elderly patients were performed. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests estimated 10-year overall survival. Predictors of local recurrence or metastasis were analyzed by a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: PN and RN were performed in 897 (66%) and 461 (34%) patients. A proportional increase of PN cases from 48.5% (1979-2009) to 75% (after 2009) was evidenced. Stratifying by age, elderly patients (≥ 65 years) had better 10-year OS rates when submitted to PN (83.5%), than RN (54.5%), p = 0.044. This disparity was not evidenced in younger patients. On multivariable model, bilaterality, extracapsular extension and ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) classification ≥3 were predictors of local recurrence. We did not identify significant predictors for distant metastasis in our series. CONCLUSIONS: PN is performed in Latin-America in a similar proportion to developed areas and it has been increasing in the last years. Even in elderly individuals, if good functional status, sufficiently fit to surgery, and favorable tumor characteristics, they should be encouraged to perform PN. Intending to an earlier diagnosis of recurrence or distant metastasis, SRM cases with unfavorable characteristics should have a more rigorous follow-up routine.

Summary and considerations in genitourinary cancer patient care during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: To provide a summary and recommendations for the set-up of strategies for cancer patients care in genitourinary oncology clinics during the pandemic and in the recovery period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A non-systematic review of available literature on the management of urological malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic was performed to summarize recommendations to improve the diagnosis and treatment of urological cancers during and after the contingence, including clinical and research aspects. RESULTS: Urological cancer diagnosis and management should be tailored according to the severity of the COVID-19 crisis in each region and the aggressiveness of each tumor. Clinicians should adhere to strict protocols in order to prioritize the attention of patients with high-risk malignancies while optimizing resources to avoid the saturation of critical care services. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic urological cancer care has been severely impaired. For proper patient management, multidisciplinary approach is encouraged tailoring therapy according to COVID-19 regional behavior and local institutional resources. Patients with high-risk malignancies should be prioritized.

Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes in Very Elderly Patients (≥75 years) with Renal Cell Carcinoma: Data from the Latin American Renal Cancer Group.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is increasing globally due to an aging population and widespread use of imaging studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and perioperative outcomes of RCC surgery in very elderly patients (VEP), ≥ 75 years of age. METHODS: This is a retrospective comparative study of 3656 patients who underwent the treatment for RCC from 1990 to 2015 in 28 centers from eight Latin American countries. We compared baseline characteristics as well as clinical and perioperative outcomes according to age groups (less than 75 vs. ≥75 years). Surgical complications were classified with the Clavien-Dindo score. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with perioperative complications. RESULTS: There were 410 VEP patients (11.2%). On bivariate analysis, VEP had a lower body mass index (p less than 0.01) and higher ASA score (ASA > 2 in 26.3% vs. 12.4%, p < 0.01). There was no difference in performance status and clinical stage between the study groups. There were no differences in surgical margins, estimated blood loss (EBL), complication, and mortality rates (1.3% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.17). On multivariate regression analysis, age ≥75 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.33, p less than 0.01), EBL ≥ 500 cc (OR 3.34, p less than 0.01), and > pT2 stage (OR 1.63, p = 0.04) were independently associated with perioperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection of RCC was safe and successful in VEP. Age ≥75 years was independently associated with 30-day perioperative complications. However, the vast majority were low-grade complications. Age alone should not guide decision-making in these patients, and treatment must be tailored according to performance status and severity of comorbidities.

Prostate cancer screening in low- and middle-income countries: the Mexican case.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based early detection for prostate cancer is the subject of intense debate. Implementation of organized prostate cancer screening has been challenging, in part because the PSA test is so amenable to opportunistic screening. To the extent that access to cancer screening tests increases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is an urgent need to thoughtfully evaluate existing and future cancer screening strategies to ensure benefit and control costs. We used Mexico's prostate cancer screening efforts to illustrate the challenges LMICs face. We provide five considerations for policymakers for a smarter approach and implementation of PSA-based screening.

El uso del Antígeno Prostático Específico (APE) para tamizaje para cáncer de próstata sigue siendo tema de amplio debate. La implementación de estrategias de tamiz organizado de cáncer de próstata ha sido un reto en parte porque la prueba de APE se presta para detección oportunista. A medida que aumenta el acceso a las pruebas de detección de cáncer en los países de ingresos bajos y medianos (PIBM), existe la necesidad urgente de evaluar cuidadosamente las estrategias actuales y futuras de detección oportuna de cáncer para garantizar su beneficio y controlar sus costos. Utilizamos los esfuerzos de tamizaje de cáncer de próstata de México para ilustrar los retos para PIBM. Ofrecemos cinco consideraciones dirigidas a tomadores de decisión que permitan contar con estrategias racionales de implementación de tamizaje para cáncer de próstata basado en el uso de APE.

Incidence and treatment of malignant tumors of the genitourinary tract in renal transplant recipients.

PURPOSE: To provide data of the incidence and management of common urological malignancies in renal transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective database from August 1967 to August 2015. A descriptive analysis of the sample was performed. RESULTS: Among 1256 consecutive RTR a total of 88 patients developed malignancies (7%). There were 18 genitourinary tumors in the 16 patients (20.45% of all malignant neoplasms), incidence of 1.27%. The most common neoplasm encounter was renal cancer (38.8%), followed by urothelial carcinoma (33.3%). Median follow up of transplantation was 197 months (R, 36-336). Mean time from RT to cancer diagnosis 89±70 months (R, 12-276). CsA and AZA was the most common immunosuppression regimen in 68.75%. Mean follow-up after diagnosis was 103±72 months (R 10-215). Recurrence free survival rate of 100%. Overall survival of 89.5% of the sample; there were two non-related cancer deaths during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of neoplasms in RTR was lower than in other series, with favorable functional and oncologic results after treatment. This suggests that actions to reduce the risk of these malignancies as well as a strict follow-up are mandatory for an early detection and treatment.

The correlation between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED): results from a survey in males from Mexico City (MexiLUTS).

INTRODUCTION: ED and LUTS affect a high proportion of male population. Although Hispanics are suspected to have a higher risk of experiencing LUTS, detailed information on its frequency and association with ED in this population is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of LUTS and ED, and its correlation in Mexican males. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical survey was answered by 1041 men. It included the International Prostate Symptom Score and the quality of life question (IPSS/QoL); International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5); the short form of the International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ-SF); and demographic data. For the analysis, we divided our population into 2 groups (18-39 and 40 and older), and then an exploratory correlation analysis was performed to search for significant differences among IPSS severity groups, and finally a multivariate regression model was applied. RESULTS: Mean age was 48.6 ± 14.5 years. One hundred twenty-three individuals (11.8 %) were asymptomatic, and 611 (58.7 %) had mild, 226 (21.7 %) had moderate, and 81 (7.8 %) had severe IPSS score. The most common symptoms were nocturia (72.4 %), increased urinary frequency (58.3 %), and slow urinary stream (42.6 %). Two hundred fifty-eight (24.7 %) complained of incontinence. Of 765 individuals, 484(63.2 %) reported some degree of ED. Severe LUTS, DM, and age were independent risk factors for ED severity. CONCLUSION: LUTS and ED may represent one of the largest sources of morbidity in our population, and their association was demonstrated. Awareness on these entities should be raised, and further research is required to determine the higher frequency of LUTS and ED in Hispanics.

[Urology training in Mexico: Residents' perspective]. / Entrenamiento de urología en México: Perspectiva del residente.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and identify from the resident's perspective the current state of the urology residency training in the surgical, research, affective domain and its working future. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed an anonymous survey of 98 urology residents during 2014. The survey included 62 questions and assesses the surgical, the clinical research, and the affective domain, and also its working future. RESULTS: We reviewed a total of 98 surveys, average age 29 years, 92% men and 8% women. The scholarship average was 12,000-14,000 pesos. Most of them have had at least one research work in a national congress, but not in an international one. Less than 10% has published papers in PubMed, although most consider clinical research as mandatory in their urology training programs. Most residents consider their training in laparoscopy to be inadequate, but they consider the relationship between partners and teachers is adequate and most of them are satisfied with their program.

[Donor/recipient age index (DoRAIn) as an independent predictor of long-term living-donor renal graft function]. / Índice de edad donador/receptor (DoRAIn) como un predictor independiente de la función del injerto de donante vivo renal a largo plazo.

PROBLEM: The effect of donor/recipient age disparity on living-donor renal graft function is controversial. The objective of this study is to find new clinical predictors of renal graft function and evaluate the effect of donor/recipient age disparity in our series. METHODS: A retrospective review of our institutional renal transplantation database was performed. We calculated the glomerular filtration rate of our patients with the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula. Our receptors were categorized using a cut-off of 60 ml/min calculated glomerular filtration rate. An index called "Donor/Recipient Age Index" was created based on the interaction between donor/recipient ages. Univariable and multivariable regression analysis were performed. The Mantel-Cox model was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 220 donor/recipient pairs were selected from January 2005 to August 2013. Only 186 pairs completed the one-year follow-up. The mean age of the donors was 35.3 ± 10.4 years and 31.6 ± 11.7 years for the recipients. The Donor/Recipient Age Index significantly predicted a glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min at one-year follow-up in univariable (p = 0.02) and multivariable (p = 0.033) regression models. CONCLUSION: We propose the Donor/Recipient Age Index as a significant predictor of long-term graft function.

[The impact of donor-to-recipient gender match and mismatch on the renal function of living donor renal graft recipients]. / Compatibilidad de género entre donador y receptor puede ser un factor pronóstico en la funcióndel injerto de trasplante renal de donador vivo.

INTRODUCTION: Donor-to-recipient gender match and mismatch may be a potential prognostic factor for living donor renal graft function. METHODS: A retrospective review of donor-to-recipient pairs undergoing living donor kidney transplantation was done. They were classified according to gender match as: male-to-male, female-to-female, male-to-female, and female-to-male. Serum creatinine was recorded during one year for donors and for up to four years for recipients. Renal function was evaluated by estimating the glomerular filtration rate with the Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaboration formula. A comparative statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: The analysis included 217 donor-to-recipient pairs. No significant differences across the four groups in estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine at any cut-off time point except at day one serum creatinine were found. Recipients had a significant difference in serum creatinine up to the first year of follow-up, with higher values for male recipients; no significant differences were found during the second through fourth year of follow-up. A significant difference was observed in estimated glomerular filtration rate throughout all follow-ups among the four groups, favoring female recipients of male kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: Donor-recipient mismatch may have a deleterious effect over long-term graft function. Female recipients of male kidneys have the best prognosis.

[Comparison between surveillance, adjuvant radiotherapy, or salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) in stage pT3 or higher and/or positive surgical margins]. / Comparación entre vigilancia y radioterapia adyuvante o de salvamento después de una prostatectomía radical para cáncer de próstata (CaP) pT3 o con márgenes positivos.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the mid-term evolution of high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) initially treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) and to compare the role of surveillance and postoperative radiotherapy, either adjuvant (aRT) or salvage (sRT). METHODS: Retrospective study of 390 patients with PCa treated with RP at our institution from February 1988 to December 2012. Those in stage pT3 or higher and/or with positive surgical margins (PSM) were included. They were divided in three groups: group 1, undergoing surveillance after RP; group 2 receiving aRT; and group 3 receiving sRT. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: 156 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 63.8 ± 6.9 years (45-79). Mean follow-up was 58 ± 45 months; 71 (45.5%) had PSM, 40 (25.6%) were in stage pT3 or higher, and 45 (28.8%) had both features. Group 1 included 91 patients, group 2, 43 and group 3, 22. Initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 12.8 ng/ml in group 1, 14.9 ng/ml in group 2, and 14.5 ng/ml in group 3 (p = 0.07). First postoperative PSA was 0.27, 0.87, and 0.50 ng/ml in group 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p = 0.007). Seven men died of PCa: three in group 1, three in group 2, and one in group 3 (p = 0.6). The CSS at five and 10 years was 100 and 89% for group 1, 95 and 80% for group 2, and 94 and 94% for group 3 (p = 0.71). CONCLUSION: Our results retrospectively show that surveillance, aRT and sRT are equivalent for the mid-term control of PCa after RP.

[Surgical treatment of renal-cell carcinoma in von Hippel-Lindau disease]. / Tratamiento quirurgico del carcinoma de celulas renales en la enfermedad de von Hippel-Lindau.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical outcome of surgical treatment of renal-cell carcinoma in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease. To analyze the clinical, demographic and histopathological characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From a total of 468 patients with renal-cell carcinoma treated surgically at our institution from 1982 to 2010, a series of 8 with von Hippel-Lindau disease were identified. Relevant variables included tumor recurrence, surgical approach, recurrence rate and mid-term preserved renal function. RESULTS: Eight patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and renal cell carcinoma were identified; 7 were treated with nephron-sparing surgery and 1 with radical nephrectomy. During the follow-up of 89.3 ± 67.5 months, we found ipsilateral tumor recurrence in two patients and contralateral in another one. Mean survival time was 72 months in seven out of eight patients who also preserved normal renal function; one patient with uncontrolled diabetes died from complications of chronic kidney disease five years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Nephron-sparing surgery offers acceptable oncologic and functional results for patients with renal cell carcinoma and Von Hippel-Lindau disease.

[Long-term renal function in patients with renal-cell carcinoma treated surgically: comparison between radical and partial nephrectomy]. / Función renal a largo plazo en pacientes con cáncer de células renales tratados quirúrgicamente: comparación entre nefrectomía radical y parcial.

PURPOSE: To compare the renal function (RF) in patients with renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) treated by radical (RN) or partial nephrectomy (PN) and to assess the impact of the two surgical techniques in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the database of patients with renal tumors treated surgically. RF was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively and compared between both techniques. GFR was estimated using CKD-EPI formula. Statistical analysis included X2, Student's t and Friedman tests and a method of logistic regression (multivariate analysis). RESULTS: 223 patients with RCC, who underwent surgery between 1981 and 2010, had complete information. The mean follow-up was 67.6 +/- 49.6 months. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the RN (n = 196) and PN (N = 27) groups. After 6 months a GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was detected in 63% vs. 29% (p = 0.0007), after 12 months in 64% vs. 33% (p = 0.002) and after 60 months in 53% vs. 40% (p = 0.2) of the patients in RN and PN groups, respectively. The absolute decrease in GFR was 22% after RN and 17% after PN. In the multivariate analysis, preoperative GFR and type of surgery were associated with an impairment of RF after 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSION: RN results in a more important impairment of RF after 6 and 12 months. At 60 months, patients treated with PN maintain a mean GFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.

Metabolic Syndrome and Prostate Cancer Risk: A Population Case-control Study.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS) with mixed dyslipidemia and prostate cancer (PC) are relevant health problems among Mexican men. However, there is no information regarding the association between MS and PC for this population. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate this association in a population case-control study in Mexico City. METHODS: We analyzed the information from 394 incident PC-cases and 793 population age-matched (± 5 years) controls, identified in Mexico City (2011-2014). For cases, Gleason score at diagnosis was available. We defined MS history based on the self-report of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and diabetes; obesity was evaluated using weight-change trajectories throughout life. In addition, the four MS-typologies described for Mexican population were used. The association between MS with PC and histological PC differentiation was evaluated using independent multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: MS history was associated with a high PC probability (OR 1.94; 95% CI 1.37-2.75). Lipid alterations, arterial hypertension, and a marked weight increase throughout life were associated with increased PC probability; however, only the marked weight increase was associated with more poorly differentiated PC (Gleason ≥8) (OR 2.79; 95% CI 1.50-5.17). CONCLUSION: Like other populations, in this Mexican study, MS and some of its components were identified as potential PC risk factors. MS-lipid alteration typology seems to be relevant; however, the novelty of this approach together with the retrospective nature of this study, indicate that a prospective evaluation of the MS typologies and PC association must be performed.

Extended sampling at first biopsy improves cancer detection rate: results of a prospective, randomized trial comparing 12 versus 18-core prostate biopsy.

PURPOSE: We determined whether increasing the number of cores at first prostate biopsy would improve the cancer detection rate without increasing the detection of clinically insignificant tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2009 to January 2010 patients scheduled for prostate biopsy were randomized to 12 or 18-core sampling. Study inclusion criteria were 1) age 45 to 75 years, 2) abnormal digital rectal examination and/or prostate specific antigen 4 to 20 ng/ml, and 3) no previous biopsy. The primary end point was the cancer detection rate. Secondary end points were clinically insignificant cancer detection and morbidity. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were enrolled in the study. Preoperative variables were similar in the 2 groups of 75 patients each. Cancer was detected in 23 patients (30.7%) in group 1 and in 36 (48%) in group 2 (p = 0.02). More cases of insignificant cancer were detected in group 2 (p not significant). In men with prostate volume 65 cc or less the detection rate was 30.9% in group 1 and 52.8% in group 2 (p = 0.02). In men with prostate specific antigen 10 ng/ml or less the detection rate was 19.6% in group 1 and 38.4% in group 2 (p = 0.03). Two group 2 patients (5.5%) were diagnosed based on additional samples but the diagnosis corresponded to insignificant cancer. There was no statistically significant difference in morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The 18-core protocol improves prostate cancer detection without increasing morbidity. Results suggest that the 12-core biopsy protocol is adequate for prostate cancer detection at first biopsy.