A histopathologic audit of prostatic biopsies in Warri, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: The ubiquitous occurrence of prostatic lesions among men over 40 years has rapidly increased the mortality rate worldwide. Though several studies have revealed the rates of occurrence and the various patterns of the prostatic lesions, few studies from South-South Nigeria have been considered. The index study was therefore targeted at identifying the patterns of prostatic lesions with a view at attenuating the prevalence of the disease.
Materials and Methods: This was a ten (10) year retrospective study conducted in Central Hospital, Warri. The relevant information was obtained from the case files domiciled at the Registry, for 202 patients. The study period was from 2007 to 2016. The index study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, Delta State University with reference number. The prostatic specimens were processed using a standard histologic procedure, and examined with a compound microscope.
Result: A total of two hundred and two (202) cases of prostatic biopsies were processed and analysed in the histopathology unit of the hospital in the ten (10) year period under review. The mean age of the patients was 70.02 years, modal age 73 years and age range between 49 and ninety one years. Prostatic carcinoma was the most common lesion accounting for ninety nine (49%) of the entire cases  studied. The mean age of occurrence was 73.69 years with most tumours observed in the seventh grade. Prostatic hyperplasia accounted for sixty nine (69), which
amounts to 34% of the entire cases. The mean age in years was 66.88 with most observations occurring within the 60-69 range. The survey revealed that ten (10) cases of Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasm (PIN) were diagnosed (constituting 5% of prostatic  lesions) of 210 which 90% were grade III. The study also revealed that 20(10%) of processed specimen were not suitable for diagnosis.
Conclusion: This study established that prostatic carcinoma was the most common prostatic lesion at Central Hospital Warri within the ten (10) year period under study. Most patients affected were in the seventh age grade. This pattern is a reflection of late presentation of cases. We advocate the need for rigorous public enlightenment, early screening programmes and adequate financial commitment by government and private organisations for proper management of this health scourge.

Key words: Prostate, Benign, Malignant, Inflammation, Gleason