Pooled antibiotic susceptibility testing that evaluates how antibiotics perform against the infection as a whole — including in polymicrobial cases. Results in 24–36 hours.
Microscopic analysis of needle-extracted prostate tissue to identify cancerous cell abnormalities — and localize them to the exact region of the prostate.
Prostate biopsies are performed when initial findings — an elevated PSA blood test or a concerning digital rectal exam — raise the possibility of prostate cancer. Multiple tissue samples are extracted with a needle from the prostate gland and analyzed under the microscope. When cancer is present, its location maps back to the extraction site.
Patients with PSA levels outside the normal range, or with concerning findings during a digital rectal exam.
Cancer, when present, is mapped back to the region of the prostate it was extracted from.
Usually at least six samples taken across the upper, mid, and lower prostate — on both the right and left sides — to give the pathologist coverage of the organ for grading and localization.
Six standard core sites: upper / mid / lower × right / left.
Tissue is removed transurethrally and screened for the presence of cancer — an alternative path when the clinical picture calls for it.
Used when transurethral resection is otherwise warranted; the resected tissue is screened for malignancy as part of the same procedure.
Pathologists grade prostate cancers on a 1–5 scale, based on how differentiated the glandular architecture appears under the microscope.
Well differentiated
Glands have well-differentiated features.
Intermediate
Glands have intermediate features — most cancers fall here.
Intermediate
Continuing intermediate differentiation.
Intermediate
Architecture trending toward poorly differentiated.
Poorly differentiated
Glands are poorly differentiated and spread haphazardly — as sheets, or as individually invasive cells.
PIN-4 can be ordered as an adjunct to help the pathologist distinguish carcinoma types.
When initial tests — an elevated PSA blood test or a concerning finding on digital rectal exam — raise the possibility of prostate cancer.
Two paths:
Pathologists grade prostate cancers using the Gleason Score / Grading System, on a scale of 1–5. Grade 1 represents well-differentiated glands; grade 5 represents poorly differentiated cells that spread haphazardly. Most cancers fall in the intermediate grades 2–4.
PIN-4 is an immunohistochemistry stain panel that helps the pathologist distinguish between carcinoma types. It can be ordered as an adjunct to standard prostate biopsy review when the diagnosis isn’t clear from H&E morphology alone.
Prostate Biopsy is part of our broader Anatomic Pathology service line for urology — alongside prostate grossing & histology, immunohistochemistry, and our bladder cancer pathology services.
Connect with a representative to learn how Pathnostics’ pathology services can support your prostate cancer workflow.