Does anyone know what role the shape of the prostate plays in the diagnosis of prostate cancer?

It would help if you could elaborate on the context of your question. The diagnosis of prostate cancer is made from the pathology report of a biopsy of the prostate. The biopsy is done by taking anywhere from 8 to 16 core samples through an ultrasound guided needle punch and examined under the microscope. The shape of a particular prostate gland if atypical, I suppose,might influence how the urologist conducts the biopsy so as not to miss the areas of suspicion he wants to sample.
If by shape you're referring to an enlarged prostate from BPH, the urologist would have to take more core samples to minimize the chances of missing a cluster of cancerous cells. Prostate cancer does not present as a single tumor as does breast cancer but is a multi-focal cancer which means it usually occurs in several places in the prostate gland which is why surgery removes the entire prostate and surrounding structures if invaded in order to insure clear margins.
This may or may not answer your question. Diagnosing prostate cancer is as much an art as a science since an initial biopsy may not pick up cancer by virtue of the samples missing the cancerous cell clusters. Its like sticking 8-12 pins in a lemon hoping to hit a pit. Sometimes it takes several biopsies to detect prostate cancer.

What led up to his biopsy the other day was a rapid rise in PSA over the last several months to 4.8, I believe, he is 56, has diabetes which he doesn't really keep in control. The doc, through a rectal exam, found the prostate to be in the shape of a triangle, not rectangle, I am so upset I can't think straight. In the shape of a triangle, so the needle biopsy was ordered. results next week. Thanks,

Hi:
I doubt that the triangular shape represents anything sinister or the Dr. would have mentioned something. The rapid rise in your husbands PSA is more of a concern which has been appropriately addressed by giving him a biopsy.
Its pointless for me to say don't worry. However having a wife who successfully survived breast cancer 20 years ago and myself having come through prostate cancer over 6 years ago with a successful radical prostatectomy, undetectable PSA's, only temporary minimal side effects and two 45 year old beautiful twin daughters who each developed and were surgically cured of melanoma within a year of one another, my experience suggests that worrying which we did plenty of didn't make a diifference.
Try to take it one step at a time.If its cancer,deliberately research the best options for him and seek out the finest specialists in the best specialised centers of excellance for prostate cancer. In this field one makes one's own luck by due diligence.
Good Luck and this may all prove to have been unnecessary.
Bob

What led up to his biopsy the other day was a rapid rise in PSA over the last several months to 4.8, I believe, he is 56, has diabetes which he doesn't really keep in control. The doc, through a rectal exam, found the prostate to be in the shape of a triangle, not rectangle, I am so upset I can't think straight. In the shape of a triangle, so the needle biopsy was ordered. results next week. Thanks,

The prostate gland is often referred to as being the shape and size of a walnut. A digital rectal exam (DRE) is a screening test that allows a doctor to check for abnormalities and cancer of the prostate gland or lower colon/rectum for men. During a DRE for a man, the doctor determines the size and consistency of the prostate. The doctor will feel for bumps, irregularities, soft or hard spots, or other abnormalities. The doctor will also examine the wall and consistency of the lower colon/rectum.

Hope this helps you understand what the urologist looks for when he/she performs a DRE...

:angel: