Urologists are committed to high-quality care and appropriate utilization for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Unfortunately, both the premise and methodology of Jean Mitchell's article (Apr 2012) are flawed. By 2005-07, there was ample evidence in the literature (later codified in national guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American Urological Association) that extension of the historical six-core biopsy sample to ten or twelve cores, with each sample segregated into a unique specimen vial, significantly improved prostate cancer detection rates, provided clinical information that facilitated treatment, and substantially reduced lab processing errors. Effectively, Mitchell is championing practices that are inconsistent with the medical evidence and below the standard of care for diagnosing prostate cancer.
展开▼
