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Transrectal ultrasound appearance of radiation‐induced prostatic sarcoma
Author(s) -
Terris Martha K.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
the prostate
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.295
H-Index - 123
eISSN - 1097-0045
pISSN - 0270-4137
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0045(19981101)37:3<182::aid-pros7>3.0.co;2-0
Subject(s) - medicine , prostate , echogenicity , sarcoma , rectal examination , ultrasound , radiology , prostatic diseases , radiation therapy , urology , adenocarcinoma , complication , pathology , cancer , surgery
BACKGROUND Delayed development of prostatic sarcoma is a rare complication of prostatic pelvic irradiation. The transrectal ultrasound appearance of this lesion has not been previously described. METHODS Three cases of radiation‐induced prostatic sarcoma are presented, with emphasis on the transrectal ultrasound findings. RESULTS An irregular, hypoechoic prostatic mass with an anechoic area consistent with the echogenicity of muscle and/ or necrosis was found in all 3 patients. This appearance is distinctly dissimilar from prostatic adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS The sonographic finding of an irregular, hypoechoic prostatic mass with an anechoic area should raise suspicion for prostatic sarcoma in patients with a history of pelvic irradiation who develop an abnormal prostate on rectal examination and/or worsening voiding symptoms despite a normal serum prostate‐specific antigen level. Prostate 37:182–186, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.