Effect of training and individual operator's expertise on prostate cancer detection through prostate biopsy: Implications for the current quantitative training evaluation system

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the relevance of training and experience to gaining expertise in prostate biopsy based on an assessment of outcomes from the performance of urology residents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 10,299 patients who underwent prostate biopsy by 50 operators under a unified urology residency program. The number of prostate biopsies performed by an operator for each patient was used as an indicator of operator experience. Residents were grouped into quartiles according to cancer detection rates in the first 50 and the last 50 procedures. RESULTS: Among 10,299 patients (median age, 67.5 years; median prostate-specific antigen [PSA], 7.04 ng/mL), the overall prostate cancer detection rate and that for patients with PSA <10.0 ng/mL were 37.0% and 25.9%, respectively. Operator experience was a significant predictor for cancer detection in patients with PSA <10.0 ng/mL. Cancer detection rates and the proportion of more advanced prostate cancers were higher in the last 50 cases than in the first 50 cases. Detection rates varied significantly among operator; residents with higher detection rates at training initiation showed even higher detection rates after additional training. CONCLUSIONS: Training that adds to the cumulative experience of a trainee appears to play a meaningful role in improving cancer detection rates. The level of skill required to achieve mastery for independent practice may be assessed from the accuracy results of prostate biopsy procedures, and trainees with poor rates will require more technical training to improve precision.