Quantitative evaluation of enhancement degree of prostate cancer with different location on contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography

Abstract

Objective To analyze the enhancement degree of prostate cancer on contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasonography (CETRUS) in relation to tumor location.Methods 150 patients suspected of prostate cancer were evaluated with CETRUS.The degree of enhancement of the lesions was objectively measured using peak intensity (PI) with time-intensity curve analysis software.The peak intensity of the lesions located in the medial peripheral zone,the lateral peripheral zone and the transition zone was compared and analyzed.Results Prostate cancer was detected in 96 of 150 patients.The mean PI value of the prostate cancer was significantly higher than that of the benign prostate hyperplasia lesions [(9.88 ± 3.76)dB vs (8.74±4.52)dB,P ＜0.01].The PI value of the cancer foci located in the medial peripheral zone,the lateral peripheral zone and the transition zone increased gradually [(6.55 ± 2.90)dB vs (10.57±2.52)dB vs (13.64±2.38)dB,P ＜0.001].The Spearman correlation coefficient between the tumor location and the PI value was 0.718 (P ＜0.001).The partial correlation coefficient was 0.720 when the Gleason score was used as a covariate (P ＜0.001).Conclusions There was significant difference in enhancement degree between prostate cancer lesions with different location.Being aware of this might be valuable for improving the sensitivity and specificity of CEUS in diagnosis of the prostate cancer. Key words: Ultrasonography ; Microbubbles ; Prostatic neoplasms