Are biopsies from the prostatic urethra useful in patients with superficial bladder carcinoma?

• Published in: British journal of urology Vol. 59; no. 2; p. 145
• Main Authors: Rikken, C H, van Helsdingen, P J, Kazzaz, B A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-02-1987
• Subjects: Biopsy; Carcinoma in Situ - pathology; Female; Humans; Male; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary - pathology; Prostatic Neoplasms - complications; Prostatic Neoplasms - pathology; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - complications; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - pathology
• ISSN: 0007-1331
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.1987.tb04806.x

Fifty male patients entered a Mitomycin C trial for superficial bladder cancer and biopsies in the prostatic urethra were taken with a cold cup biopsy forceps. In one patient this procedure failed. In 21 of 49 patients no abnormalities were detected but in the remaining 28 patients (57.1%) histological changes were found in the prostatic urethra. In 13 of these patients (26.5%) the changes were either carcinoma in situ (CIS) or superficial bladder carcinoma. Carcinoma in situ in the prostatic urethra was found in nine patients (18%) and in all but one it was combined with CIS in the bladder. These results indicate that biopsies from the prostatic urethra must be taken routinely in order to plan adequate therapy.