Rapid processing in the management of prostatic cancer

Objective To carry out rapid histological processing of prostatic biopsies for the management of patients who present with urinary retention or other urological problems, or with a suspected diagnosis of prostatic cancer. Patients and methods Biopsies were taken from each of 26 patients who presented with urinary retention or other urological problems, or with a suspected diagnosis of prostatic cancer. The biopsies were processed in a Shandon Hypercenter using a 3-hour programme and were stained on a Shandon Linistainer automatic staining machine. The slides were reviewed both immediately and at weekly histopathology audit meetings. Results Results were available within 4 h of receipt of the specimen in the laboratory. One false negative, due to a sampling error at the time of biopsy, was identified. Conclusion We believe that this facility is of benefit to both surgeon and patient and should be more widely available.