Can We Trust TRUS Biopsies?

Posted by Francisco G. La Rosa, MD | Aug 2021

Francisco G. La Rosa, MD, presented “Can We Trust TRUS Biopsies?” during the 31st International Prostate Cancer Update in July 2021 in Snowbird, Utah.

How to cite: La Rosa, Francisco G. “Can We Trust TRUS Biopsies?” July 2021. Accessed Apr 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/can-we-trust-trus-biopsies/

Can We Trust TRUS Biopsies? – Summary

Francisco G. La Rosa, MD, Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, evaluates the efficacy of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) biopsy and contrasts the technique with transperineal prostate mapping biopsy (TPMB). He describes the development of biopsy techniques, explains how to select a biopsy sample size, and demonstrates why the 360-degree view of the prostate offered by TPMB is advantageous. Dr. La Rosa underscores that sampling should be volume-dependent as the percentage of prostate cancer and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia detected using a conventional 8-12 core biopsy declines as the volume of the prostate gland increases. He recommends a scaled approach, beginning with eight biopsy cores for glands up to 15cc and increasing up to 14-20 cores for glands over 50cc. Dr. La Rosa then contrasts TRUS with TPMB, remarking that the latter diagnoses prostate cancer in twice the number of patients and can detect or rule out more aggressive disease. Additionally, two-thirds of men with a previous negative TRUS biopsy were later diagnosed with prostate cancer after undergoing TPMB. Dr. La Rosa concludes that TPMB, which also has lower complication rates, is more reliable than TRUS biopsy.

About The 31st Annual International Prostate Cancer Update:

The International Prostate Cancer Update (IPCU), founded in 1990, is a multi-day CME conference focused on prostate cancer treatment updates with expert, international faculty. It is led by expert physicians and is designed for urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Dr. La Rosa delivered this educational activity during the 31st iteration of the meeting in July 2021 in Snowbird, Utah.

About The Author

Francisco G. La Rosa, MD

Francisco G. La Rosa, MD, FCAP, serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and is a distinguished member of the University of Colorado Cancer Center. He originally graduated as an M.D. in Lima, Peru, with Residency in Clinical Pathology, followed by Residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the “University of Colorado.” He is Board Certified in anatomic and clinical pathology, and specializes in genitourinary, renal, and heart pathology. He is also recognized as an expert in pathology informatics. Dr. La Rosa actively engages in clinical practice, research, and education with over 100 publications in refereed journals. His primary hobbies include photography and videography, both of which he has utilized for educational purposes by creating several websites dedicated to the teaching of pathology. Dr. La Rosa holds memberships in several national and international organizations, including the College of American Pathologists, American Urological Association, Peruvian American Medical Association, Catholic Medical Association and Association for Pathology Informatics. His research involvement extends to collaboration on various research grants in genitourinary pathology, and he serves as a member and study coordinator at the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), Genitourinary Committee. Most notably, he collaborates closely with Dr. E. David Crawford and his team on cutting-edge technology for diagnosing and treating prostate and urinary cancers. As a faculty member of Grand Rounds in Urology, he actively participates in various innovative educational activities within the field of urology. As a graduate from the Teaching Scholar Program at the University of Colorado, Dr. La Rosa imparts his knowledge to medical students, as well as pathology residents and fellows. His commitment to excellence in teaching has earned him several recognitions. Beyond national borders, Dr. La Rosa is recognized as an Honorary Professor at the Medical School Hipolito Unanue of the National University Federico Villarreal in Lima, Peru. He also serves as the co-founder and current Administrator of the Asociación Iberoamericana de Telesalud y Telemedicina (AITT) and holds the position of founder and Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Revista de la AITT (ISSN 2411-3840). The mission of these endeavors is to promote and coordinate programs and activities in telehealth and telemedicine among Latin American countries. Additionally, he serves on several international scientific committees and editorial boards of scientific journals, further contributing to the global advancement of pathology.

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