Transrectal ultrasound in early detection of clinical stage A prostate cancer.

A group of 40 select men were studied to assess the value of transrectal ultrasound in the early detection of prostate cancer. All had a benign digital rectal examination and had either irritative lower tract symptoms, hematospermia, microhematuria, or an elevated acid phosphatase. Of the men, 28 had an abnormal ultrasound and underwent a directed prostate needle biopsy to assess the ability to detect clinical Stager A cancer. Eleven men (40%) were found to have cancer, all having hypoechoic lesions. The remainder were found to have benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) with hyperechoic lesions predominating (88%). Our results suggest that transrectal ultrasound is a useful and sensitive method for the detection of prostate tumors not clinically evident on digital rectal examination in select patients.