While it may be desirable to submit all tissue removed a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), the volume of these "chips" may be very high and the incremental benefit small. The amount of tissue that needs to be submitted can be optimized for detection of an occult neoplasm.
12 grams of prostate chips can be placed into 6 to 8 histologic cassettes, depending on how closely the pieces are packed. This works out to about 1.5 grams per cassette.
Chip Weight
Initial
Additional
<= 12 grams
all of the chips (up to 8 cassettes)
> 12 grams
8 cassettes
1 cassette for each 5 grams above 12 grams = ((total weight) - 12) / 5
where:
• 1 cassette per additional 5 grams works out to about a third of the remaining tissue.
(1) Chips with cancer may be yellowish to orange in color. Chips of this color should be preferentially submitted.
(2) Following the initial histologic examination it may be necessary to submit more or all of the remaining tissue, especially if the amount of tumor seen initially is small or the patient is young.
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