David Bostwick, MD

A total of 186 randomly selected needle biopsies were evaluated and radical prostatectomy samples were matched with preoperative PSA concentration and patient demographics. Gleason score and optimized microvessel density were determined from the needle biopsy samples; pathologic stage was verified by independent review of the prostatectomy samples. An automated digital image analysis system measured microvessel morphology and calculated the optimized microvessel density in biopsies. Using this system in combination with the Gleason score and serum PSA significantly increases the ability to predict extraprostatic extension of cancer preoperatively. [Oncol News Int 6(Suppl 3):13-14, 1997]