Objectives: To use computer-assisted three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction to study cancer distribution in the prostate. The distributions have been determined using data from 81 prostates surgically removed because of cancer.
Methods: The pattern of distribution was determined by reshaping (morphing) all prostates in the same size category (small, medium, large) into the same shape and by overlayering the 3D distribution of all cancers into a "unit prostate." Also, the pattern of 3D distribution was defined for small, medium, and large volume cancers.
Results: The study yielded a clear, visual "scatter diagram" representation of the statistics of prostate cancer distribution. It confirmed previous general knowledge: small cancers are mainly found in the lower one third and principally in the dorsolateral part of the gland.
Conclusions: This report is part of the investigations preliminary to establishing an optimal protocol for needle biopsy of prostate cancer.