Contemporary approaches for processing and handling of radical prostactomy specimens

Histol Histopathol. 2010 Feb;25(2):259-65. doi: 10.14670/HH-25.259.

Abstract

Standardized protocols for processing radical prostatectomy specimens are critical for superior patient management. It provides accurate information to the clinician in a reliable and consistent format to enhance patient care and prognosis. In recent years, processing protocols have been proposed by various authoritative groups, with similar suggestions for most parts of the practice guidelines; however, discrepancy in processing approaches still exists. Standardization improves the quality and consistency of pathology reports. In this review article, we incorporate the processing schemes for radical prostatectomy addressed in literature and propose a comprehensively standardized approach to evaluate radical prostatectomy specimens.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / surgery
  • Male
  • Microtomy
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Prostatectomy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Quality of Health Care
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Specimen Handling* / methods
  • Specimen Handling* / standards
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Tissue Embedding
  • Tissue Fixation