What is prostate capsule?

We found that the “capsule” is made up of a band of concentrically placed fibromuscular tissue that is an inseparable component of the prostatic stroma. The outer surface of this tissue gives rise to a few bundles of fibromuscular stroma that penetrate and disappear into the periprostatic connective tissue stroma.

Is prostate cancer encapsulated?

On T2-weighted imaging, prostate cancer is typically seen as focal, non-encapsulated, low signal intensity that has an ellipsoid or crescentic subcapsular shape in the peripheral zone or an infiltrative “erased charcoal” appearance in the central gland.

What is perineural invasion in prostate cancer?

Perineural invasion means that cancer cells were seen surrounding or tracking along a nerve fiber within the prostate. When this is found on a biopsy, it means that there is a higher chance that the cancer has spread outside the prostate.

Where is the capsule of the prostate?

For convenience it is referred to in the literature as prostate ‘capsule. ‘ ” Its absence is not realized by most physicians. Even if there was a capsule it is completely absent at the prostate base (top of the gland) and prostate apex (bottom of the gland).

What is extracapsular extension in prostate cancer?

Extraprostatic (extracapsular) extension of prostate cancer refers to local tumor growth beyond the fibromuscular pseudocapsule of the prostate gland into the periprostatic soft tissues, in particular, the periprostatic fat and is an established adverse prognostic factor and of importance for prostate cancer staging …

What does extracapsular extension mean?

If these tumors are not detected and diagnosed early, they have a higher probability of reaching the firm outer edge of the gland, called the capsule, and breaking through it. This is called extracapsular extension (extra means “beyond”, so the tumor has penetrated the capsule and begun growing outside of it).

What does encapsulated prostate cancer mean?

Listen to pronunciation. (en-KAP-soo-lay-ted) Confined to a specific, localized area and surrounded by a thin layer of tissue.

Is perineural invasion common in prostate cancer?

Perineural invasion (PNI)—a distinct route of cancer metastasis—is common in prostate cancer and refers to cancer surrounding or tracking along a nerve fiber. In some other types of cancer, PNI is associated with poor prognosis, but whether this is true in prostate cancer is controversial.

What is the chance of microscopic capsule penetration in prostate cancer?

For your particular case of prostate cancer with a Gleason score 4+3=7, PSA 4.3 and stage T1c, your chance of having microscopic capsule penetration is 40%. So, you actually have a 40% chance that your cancer has progressed to step 2 growth and that you have T3 cancer, not T1c.

Which is the most important concept in prostate cancer?

Microscopic capsule penetration is one of the most important concepts to understand about prostate cancer and has been extensively studied at Johns Hopkins University. Prior to surgery (Radical Prostatectomy), 5,629 men had a prostate biopsy, PSA and were staged either T1 or T2 based on DRE (digital rectal exam).

Why is capsular attachment and invasion of cancer important?

Because capsular finding associated with radical prostatectomy is an important prognostic factor, the present study was conducted to characterize clinicopathological states of cancer tissues attached to and invading the capsule.

What kind of cancer can be felt outside the prostate?

If the growth outside the prostate is large enough, it can be felt on prostate examination (the DRE) which would make you a stage T3, but this is very uncommon. Almost all capsule penetration cancer is microscopic.