Correlation of prostate-specific antigen before prostate cancer detection and clinicopathologic features: evaluation of mass screening populations

OBJECTIVES: Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has become the reference standard for prostate cancer diagnosis, few reports have examined the long-term changes in PSA values before the diagnosis of prostate cancer in a large number of subjects. We investigated serial PSA levels and related values before prostate cancer diagnosis in a mass screening population and analyzed the values in an attempt to discover some values useful in clinical diagnostic science. METHODS: We performed mass screening for prostate cancer in 9671 subjects from 1986 to 1998. The initial screening method was measurement of prostatic acid phosphatase from 1986 to 1991 and measurement of PSA from 1992 to 1998. As a result, 303 cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed. For all the cases diagnosed before 1991, we measured the serum PSA value in preserved frozen serum. RESULTS: The prostate cancer detection rate was 3.1% among all subjects observed during the 13-year period. By measurement of the PSA level using frozen serum during the pre-PSA era, we found that 62% of patients demonstrated a PSA abnormality for more than 1 year (average 2.8) before prostate cancer diagnosis. Prostate cancer that was diagnosed within 1 year after a PSA value became abnormal was not associated with bone metastasis. Concerning the relationship between PSA velocity (PSAV) and clinical stage, the proportion of Stage B cancer was 86% in the subjects whose PSAV level before diagnosis was 0.18 ng/mL/yr or less and it was only 29% in those with PSAV levels of 4.5 ng/mL/yr or more. Only 3 (3.5%) of 86 patients with prostate cancer with PSAV levels of 4.4 ng/mL/yr or less had bone metastasis, and 2 of those 3 patients had poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Although a total of 62% of patients had an abnormal PSA level more than 1 year before prostate cancer diagnosis, no patients with prostate cancer who were diagnosed within 1 year after the PSA level became abnormal had bone metastasis. Among patients who have undergone mass screening twice or more, a clinically useful indicator of the lack of bone metastasis would be a period between the detection of PSA levels of 4.1 ng/mL or more but not more than 10 ng/mL and prostate cancer diagnosis of less than 1 year and a diagnosis of well or moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma or a PSAV of 4.4 ng/mL/yr or less and a cancer diagnosis of well or moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.     

125I 放射性粒子植入术联合间歇性内分泌疗法治疗局部中高危前列腺癌

目的 探讨¹²⁵I放射性粒子植入术联合间歇性内分泌疗法治疗局部中高危前列腺癌的临床价值。方法 前列腺癌患者25例，年龄 64～85 岁，平均年龄75岁，前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）：10.3～354.8 ng/mL，Gleason 评分：7～9 分，临床分期T2～T3N0M0。椎管内麻醉，截石位，直肠超声从前列腺基底到尖部进行扫描，图像传送至计算机计划系统进行三维重建和术中计划，根据计划行直肠超声引导下经会阴¹²⁵I放射性粒子植入术，术后联合全部雄激素阻断疗法。当PSA达到0 ng/mL，并稳定2个月后停止内分泌治疗，当PSA连续3次上升，则重新开始内分泌治疗。结果所有患者手术均顺利，植入粒子85～110粒，平均93粒。术后随访8～20个月，平均12个月。术后3～6个月所有患者的PSA都降到正常范围，其中10例患者PSA未达到0 ng/mL，未停药。5例患者术后5～16个月，出现PSA反弹，再次用药3～5个月PSA值达到0 ng/mL。2例患者转变为激素非依赖性并出现骨转移。目前17例患者的PSA值在0～1.2 ng/mL之间，其中10患者PSA< 0.2 ng/mL。近期出现的并发症有轻至中度尿路刺激征24%（6/25），急性尿潴留8%（2/25），直肠刺激征和血便16%（4/25），多数患者症状随访1年后缓解。结论 对于局部晚期中高危前列腺癌，¹²⁵I放射粒子植入术联合间歇性内分泌疗法是一种安全有效的治疗方法。     

M1 prostate cancer with a serum level of prostate-specific antigen less than 10 ng/mL

BACKGROUND: M1 prostate cancer, which is invasive, is usually associated with a serum level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) greater than 10 ng/mL, but cases are occurring where the serum PSA level is less than this. The present study investigated the clinical and pathologic characteristics of these cases of M1 prostate cancer. METHODS: Between April 1989 and March 1998, 167 cases of M1 prostate cancer were diagnosed by transrectal needle biopsy and eight of these with a serum PSA level less than 10 ng/mL were investigated. The patients' ages ranged from 57 to 79 years (median, 73) and the serum PSA levels ranged from less than 4.0 to 9.8 ng/mL. In all cases except one, the distal metastasis was to bones only. All cases had received hormonal therapy as the initial therapy. Immunostaining of PSA, chromogranin A, neuron-specific enolase, carcinoembryonic antigen and vimentin were performed in five of the eight cases. RESULTS: Four cases were poorly differentiated, two were undifferentiated, one was a mixture of poorly differentiated and undifferentiated and one case was moderately differentiated. Of the five cases in the immunohistochemical study, three cases with an undifferentiated carcinoma component showed negative staining reactions for PSA and all cases were positive for carcinoembryonic antigen. Four of the patients died of prostate cancer. In two of these four cases, hormonal therapy was ineffective, but systemic chemotherapy and irradiation therapy had been moderately effective. The overall 3-year survival rate was 33.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The cases of M1 prostate cancer with a serum PSA less than 10 ng/mL are almost always poorly differentiated or undifferentiated and have a poor prognosis compared with the usual M1 prostate cancer. Because hormonal therapy is ineffective in these cases, systemic chemotherapy and irradiation therapy should be chosen as the initial therapy.     

Multiple myeloma diagnosed during hormonal therapy for prostate cancer: report of two cases

Case 1: A 73-year-old man presented with a serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level of 30.2 ng/ml, and was diagnosed with prostate cancer (cT3aN0M1, stageD2), for which hormonal therapy (maximal androgen blockade : MAB) was commenced. Nine months later he developed back pain, and osteolytic bone lesions progressed despite a stable, low PSA level (0.087 ng/ml). He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on the basis of positive M protein on immunoelectrophoresis. MP combination therapy (melphalan and prednisolone) was commenced, but the patient died of multiple myeloma 33 months later. Case 2: A 70-year-old man was diagnosed with prostate cancer (PSA 19 ng/ml) at another hospital 5 years ago, and underwent hormonal therapy (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist only). He was referred to our hospital and underwent bicalutamide+MAB combination therapy due to a raised PSA level (58 ng/ml) and multiple bone metastases. His PSA level dropped to around 20 ng/ml, but 2 years later he developed back pain, and bone metastases with osteolytic change were seen in the skull, ribs, and limbs. Needle aspiration biopsy of a fist-sized soft tissue mass in the chest wall showed multiple myeloma. Although chemotherapy with melphalan was commenced, the patient died of multiple myeloma 8 months after its diagnosis. Both these cases exhibited rapidly progressing bone lesions, regardless of an absence of any large fluctuations in serum PSA levels, during hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. Further investigations yielded the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. If progression of bone lesions does not match the status of prostate cancer as surmised from the serum PSA level, we should consider the possibility of multiple myeloma, and biopsy of one of the bone lesions.     

Prostatic neuroendocrine carcinoma with priapism : a case report

An 84-year-old man presented with priapism in May, 2009. At 79 years old, he was diagnosed with stage C prostate cancer and then, was treated with hormonal therapy. The serum level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was within the normal range (0.02 ng/ml). Penile caverno-dorsal vein shunt (Barry shunt) and caverno-spongiosum shunt (Quackels shunt) were performed for the purpose of managing local symptoms. Following operation, the penile pain was mitigated. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) revealed the enlarged prostate and multiple metastases to lungs and multiple bone metastases. Histological examination of the prostatic needle biopsy revealed poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of the prostate.     

Prostate cancer with penile metastasis: a case report

A 77-year-old man presented with complaints of dysuria, nocturia and painless nodule on his penis. Laboratory examination revealed elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and CA19-9. Pathological examinations on prostate and penile biopsy specimens revealed prostate adenocarcinoma with penile metastasis. The patient was diagnosed as having prostate cancer stage D2 (T4N1M1) with bone, lymph node and penile metastases. There was no response to initial hormonal therapy with the surgical castration and diethylstilbestrol. However, decrease of the tumor size, as well as PSA and CA19-9 values were achieved after the combined chemotherapy with Estramustine, Paclitaxel and Carboplatin.     

Serum alkaline phosphatase flare in prostate cancer accompanied by bone metastases and treated with hormonal therapy. TEKK Study Group

To clarify the roles of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) flare in prostate cancer accompanied by bone metastases and treated with hormonal therapy, we evaluated the clinicopathological character, treatment efficacy and outcome for patients with and without ALP flare. We evaluated 60 patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer accompanied by bone metastases and treated with hormonal therapy, whose response in terms of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels showed a partial response (PR) or better response. The patients were classified into two groups, an ALP flare group (13 cases) and a non-ALP flare group (47 cases). The former showed serum ALP elevation of more than double, and the latter less than double that of pretreatment levels following hormonal therapy. Patient characteristics, PSA response and outcome were compared between the two groups. Extent of disease (EOD) as grade of bone metastasis was significantly higher in the ALP flare group than in the non-flare group (p = 0.0352). Pre-treatment serum PSA levels were also significantly higher in the ALP flare group (p = 0.0010). However, there were no significant differences in pretreatment serum ALP levels. Serum PSA levels were normalized in 37 of the 47 patients (78.7%) in the non-ALP flare group compared with 6 of the 13 (46.2%) in the ALP flare group (p = 0.0211). Moreover, the period until biochemical failure was significantly shorter for the ALP flare than the non-flare group (p = 0.0027). These results suggest that prostate cancer patients with bone metastases in whom ALP flare is observed in response to hormonal therapy tend to have more extensive bone metastases, high pretreatment PSA levels, to be resistant to PSA normalization and more likely to experience biochemical failure.     

Pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen as a useful marker for monitoring metastatic bone activity in men with prostate cancer

PURPOSE: We investigated the clinical usefulness of measuring the serum concentrations of pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) as markers for monitoring metastatic bone activity in patients with prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum levels of ICTP, PICP, alkaline phosphatase, prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were analyzed in 104 untreated patients with prostate cancer, including 62 with and 42 without bone metastasis. Serial measurements of ICTP, PICP and PSA were performed during hormonal therapy in 35 of 62 prostate cancer patients with bone metastasis. RESULTS: Serum levels of all markers except prostatic acid phosphatase were significantly higher with than without bone metastasis. The median values of each marker increased according to the extent of bone metastasis. Serial ICTP, PICP and PSA in 19 patients with a partial response or no change in bone scans demonstrated a downward trend after treatment, while in 16 with progression they showed an upward trend after treatment. The rate of detecting bone metastasis and progression using ICTP were highest compared with other markers based on the percent clinical effectiveness and receiver operating characteristic curves. CONCLUSIONS: Measuring serum ICTP may be useful for detecting bone metastasis and prostate cancer progression, and may augment PSA and bone scan monitoring of metastatic bone activity.     

Prostate specific antigen in hormonally treated stage D2 prostate cancer: is it always an accurate indicator of disease status?

The clinical significance of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) values in hormonally treated prostate cancer patients and the effect of hormonal therapy on the serum PSA concentration, independent of the response observed from its antitumor activity, are not well defined. To elucidate further the influence of antiandrogen therapy on serum PSA expression, 81 randomly selected patients with stage D2 prostate cancer were evaluated with respect to serum PSA concentration. These patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of previous hormonal therapy. Group 1 consisted of 43 patients 55 to 89 years old (mean age 71 years) who had received no prior therapy for prostate cancer. Group 2 included 38 men 58 to 84 years old (mean age 72 years) who had received only androgen deprivation therapy with either bilateral orchiectomy or diethylstilbestrol. The mean interval between initiation of antiandrogen therapy and evaluation of these patients was 14 months (range 8 to 31 months). At the time of PSA determination both groups were similar in all respects, including tumor grade, disease symptoms and bone scan findings. The median serum PSA concentration was 96.0 ng./ml. in group 1 and 16.5 ng./ml. in group 2 (p less than 0.001), despite both groups having similar symptoms and widespread metastatic disease on radionuclide bone scan. In group 1 only 1 patient (2%) had a serum PSA level less than 4.0 ng./ml., whereas 13 men (34%) in group 2 had a serum PSA concentration below 4.0 ng./ml. (p less than 0.001). Of the patients in group 1, 2% and of the men in group 2, 45% had a serum PSA concentration less than 10 ng./ml. (p less than 0.001). These findings demonstrate that the serum PSA level in prostate cancer patients treated hormonally may have a significantly different meaning than the same serum PSA value in patients without hormonal therapy. In addition, these observations suggest that PSA expression may be under hormonal regulation and that androgen deprivation therapy may have a direct effect on the serum PSA concentration, independent of the response obtained from any antitumor activity. However, the exact mechanism of this androgenic influence on PSA expression awaits further investigation at the cellular level.     

Routine bone scans in patients with prostate cancer related to serum prostate-specific antigen and alkaline phosphatase

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the need for a bone scan as a routine staging procedure in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer in relation to serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, and thus determine whether a reduction of the use of this staging method is possible in patients with a low probability of osseous metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The results of bone scans were related retrospectively to levels of serum PSA and ALP in 363 patients with prostate cancer newly diagnosed between 1989 and 1997. RESULTS: Of 363 consecutive patients, 111 had a positive bone scan. In 19 of 144 (13%, "missed diagnosis") patients with a PSA level of < 20 ng/mL the bone scan was positive. In 125 patients (49%, "false-positives") with a PSA level of > 20 ng/mL the bone scan was negative. A threshold level of 100 U/L for ALP gave a better balance for the number of "false-positives" and "missed diagnosis". ALP values correlated better with an abnormal bone scan than did PSA levels; ALP levels of > 90 U/L indicated a 60% chance for the presence of bone metastases. CONCLUSION: Patients with newly diagnosed and untreated prostate cancer should undergo bone scintigraphy if there is bone pain or if ALP levels are > 90 U/L. Recent reports discourage the routine use of a bone scan when the serum PSA level is <20 ng/mL. However, the present series suggests there is a greater chance of a positive bone scan in patients with low PSA levels; these findings need further confirmation.     

局限性前列腺癌间歇性内分泌治疗的临床观察

目的探讨间歇性内分泌治疗（IHT）局限性前列腺癌的效果。方法选取局限性前列腺癌（T1-2N0M0）患者36例,全雄激素阻断治疗6～9个月,停药时机为前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）≤0.2 ng/mL后持续3～6个月,以后根据每月PSA的检测结果决定是否再行内分泌治疗。治疗期及间歇期检测血清睾酮值,并行生活质量评分。结果 36例患者间歇性内分泌治疗6个月后血清PSA均降至正常,前列腺体积明显缩小。第1～5疗程的平均间歇期分别为5.8、6.6、8.4、5.6和3.0个月。最低PSA值从第1疗程的0.001 ng/mL上升至第5疗程的0.5 ng/mL。95.6%患者在第1个间歇期睾酮回升至正常值上限,中位回归时间11.2周。全部患者完成第1个周期的治疗,88.8%的患者完成2个周期的治疗,63.8%的患者完成3个周期的治疗,47.2%的患者完成4个周期的治疗,25.0%的患者完成5个周期的治疗,随访时间1～6.5年。生活质量评分显示,患者性趣、排尿症状和肠道症状等在间歇期得到显著改善（P〈0.05）。结论间歇性内分泌方法是非根治性治疗局限性前列腺癌的有效手段。     

Large abdominal mass: an unusual clinical form of prostate cancer

Contribution of one case of prostate cancer presenting with a large abdominal mass associated to anaemia and weight loss. Serum PSA level was greater than 10,000 ng/mL. Imaging studies showed large retroperitoneal mass that led to other differential diagnoses. Biopsy revealed findings suggestive of adenocarcinoma with a distinct immunohistochemical pattern. No metastasis was evidenced in bone scan. Complete hormonal blockade resulted in significant decreased PSA levels and almost complete involution of adenopathies, as well as overall improvement.     

Cryoablation for clinically localized prostate cancer using an argon-based system: complication rates and biochemical recurrence

OBJECTIVE: To determine the complication rates and biochemical recurrence after cryoablation of the prostate, using an argon gas-based system, in patients with localized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 1997 and June 1999, 35 patients underwent cryoablation of the prostate (19 after radiation therapy failure and 16 as a primary treatment for localized prostate cancer). All patients had biopsy-confirmed prostate cancer with no seminal vesicle invasion, negative bone scans and a negative lymph node dissection. Patients received 3 months of combined hormonal therapy before cryosurgery. One surgeon performed all the procedures. Biochemical recurrence was defined by an increase in prostate specific antigen (PSA) of >/= 0.2 ng/mL above the PSA nadir. RESULTS: The complications were rectal pain (26%), urinary infection (3%), scrotal oedema (12%), haematuria (6%) and incontinence (6%). Complication rates were higher in those patients who failed after radiation therapy than in those who did not receive radiation (incontinence 11% vs 0%, rectal pain 37% vs 12%) but the difference was not statistically significant. Twenty-two patients (63%) had an undetectable serum PSA nadir (< 0.1 ng/mL) after cryotherapy and 30 (84%) patients had a PSA value of < 1.0 ng/mL. After a mean follow-up of 8.3 months (range 0.2-18), nine patients had biochemical recurrence. The biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) was 70% at 9 months. Patients who had an undetectable PSA nadir had a statistically higher BRSF at 9 months than did patients who had a detectable PSA nadir (89% vs 55%, respectively, P = 0.03). Similarly, patients with a preoperative serum PSA level of < 10 ng/mL had a statistically higher BRFS than patients who had a PSA level of > 10 ng/mL (86% vs 42% at 9 months, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A PSA level before cryotherapy of < 10 ng/mL and an undetectable PSA nadir after cryotherapy were associated with the highest BRFS. Cryoablation of the prostate, with low morbidity, seems to be a viable option in managing patients by salvage therapy after radiation therapy and for the primary treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer.     

Prostate-specific antigen changes in hypogonadal men treated with testosterone replacement

Testosterone supplementation is commonly used as a treatment for hypogonadal men with or without erectile dysfunction. The effect of parenteral testosterone replacement therapy on the development or growth of prostate cancer is unclear. We assessed the effect of this treatment on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and risk of prostate cancer in hypogonadal men with erectile dysfunction. Criteria for inclusion were a normal pre-treatment PSA (<4.0 ng/mL) in conjunction with a normal digital rectal examination (DRE) or a negative pretreatment prostate biopsy for men with either an abnormal DRE or an elevated PSA. Patients received intramuscular injections every 2 to 4 weeks, allowing for dose titration. In this retrospective analysis, 54 hypogonadal men with erectile dysfunction were included, with a mean age of 60.4 years (range 42.0-76.0) and a mean follow-up of 30.2 months (range 2.0-82.0) on testosterone therapy. Mean pretreatment total testosterone level was 1.89 ng/mL (range 0.2-2.92), which increased during treatment to a mean of 9.74 ng/mL (range 1.50-26.30, P <.001). Mean pretreatment PSA was 1.86 ng/mL (median 1.01 ng/mL, range 0.0-15.80), which increased to a mean PSA level of 2.82 ng/mL (median 1.56 ng/mL, range 0.0-32.36, P <.01) with testosterone treatment. Of the 54 men included in this study, 6 (11.1%) required prostate biopsy while on testosterone therapy because of a rise in serum PSA above 4.0 ng/mL. One patient (1.9%) was diagnosed with prostate cancer. In conclusion, testosterone replacement therapy in men with erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism is associated with a minor PSA elevation, but there does not appear to be a short-term increase in risk for the development of prostate cancer.     

Value of prostate-specific antigen in the staging of Taiwanese patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer

Records of 71 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer were reviewed retrospectively regarding clinical stage, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, CT scan of pelvis, bone scan, and pelvic lymph node dissection. Fourteen patients had pelvic lymphadenopathy based on the CT scan. Of these, no patient had a PSA level <4 ng/mL, 1 patient had a PSA level between 4 and 10 ng/mL, and 3 had a PSA level between 10 and 20 ng/mL. Twelve of 13 patients with positive bone scan results had a PSA level >20 ng/mL, and 1 patient had a PSA level between 10 and 20 ng/mL. PSA can be cost-effective in selecting and identifying appropriate staging for patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. CT scans are not indicated in men with clinical localized prostate cancer when PSA levels are < or =10 ng/mL. Bone scan is not required for staging asymptomatic men with PSA levels of < or =20 ng/mL. Pelvic lymphadenectomy for localized prostate cancer may not be necessary if PSA levels is < or =20 ng/mL and Gleason score is < or =5.     

Detection of residual prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy with the Abbott IMx PSA assay

Objectives

This analysis was performed to define the level of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measured with the Abbott IMx assay that indicates residual or progressive prostate cancer after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).

Methods

Since March 1992, we have used the Abbott IMx assay to determine PSA levels. Between March 1992 and June 1994, 102 of those patients having RRPs were found to have pathologic Stage C prostate cancer. Fifty-one of these patients had at least one serum PSA measurement of 0.1 ng/mL or greater. Eight patients were excluded from the analysis because they received postoperative radiotherapy that might have influenced subsequent PSA levels. The remaining 43 patients are the subjects of this analysis and were evaluated to determine the “clinical threshold” or minimal serum PSA level after RRP indicative of progressive disease. Patients were followed for 6 to 36 months (median 23 months) from the date of the RRP. Failure was defined as a subsequent increase of PSA to greater than 0.3 ng/mL. Freedom from failure was determined using the Kaplan-Meier product limit method.

Results

Of the patients with at least one postoperative serum PSA level of 0.1 ng/mL, the subsequent freedom from failure was 80% at 23 months as compared with 13% in patients with at least one postoperative PSA level of 0.2 ng/mL (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Following RRP for pathologic Stage C prostate cancer, a solitary PSA level of 0.1 ng/mL (measured with the IMx assay) was followed by a progressive rise in PSA levels in only a minority of patients within the first 2 years after surgery. In contrast, the majority of patients with a postoperative PSA level of 0.2 ng/mL subsequently had progressively rising PSA levels. This indicates that a serum PSA level of 0.2 ng/ mL is reflective of residual prostate cancer.     

Correlation of histological inflammation in needle biopsy specimens with serum prostate- specific antigen levels in men with negative biopsy for prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES: To reveal the possible contribution of histological inflammation within the prostate to the abnormal elevation of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with needle biopsy negative for prostate cancer. METHODS: We reviewed negative needle biopsy specimens obtained in 93 patients. The degree of acute and chronic inflammation as evaluated histologically was compared with serum PSA levels in conjunction with age and prostate volume. RESULTS: Both age (P <0.01) and prostate volume (P <0.0001) correlated significantly with serum PSA levels and were significantly greater in patients with abnormal serum PSA levels (greater than 4.0 ng/mL) than in those with normal serum PSA levels (4.0 ng/mL or less) (P <0.01). The presence of histological inflammation within the prostate also correlated significantly with serum PSA levels. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated prostate volume to be the only independent determinant of serum PSA levels (P <0.01). In patients with a prostate volume larger than 25 mL, only prostate volume correlated significantly with serum PSA levels (P <0. 05). On the other hand, the degree of acute inflammation as represented by polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration was the only parameter correlating significantly with serum PSA levels (P <0.05) in patients with a prostate volume smaller than 25 mL. CONCLUSIONS: Histologically defined acute inflammation within the prostate is a significant contributor to elevated serum PSA levels, especially in patients with small prostates. In the assessment of needle biopsy results negative for prostate cancer, it might be helpful to evaluate the degree of histological inflammation, especially in terms of the necessity of subsequent repeated biopsies.     

Failing to achieve a nadir prostate-specific antigen after combined androgen blockade: Predictive factors

Objectives:   To determine the optimal cut-off of a nadir prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for prediction of progression within 24 months after combined androgen blockade (CAB) and to analyze predictive factors of failing to achieve the nadir PSA.
Methods:   We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 343 patients with prostate cancer treated with CAB from 2000 to 2005. We determined the nadir PSA level that predicts progression to hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) at 24 months after CAB. Predictive factors for failing to achieve a determined nadir PSA were analyzed.
Results:   Mean age was 74.0 years. Mean follow up was 42.1 month. Seventy-seven patients experienced progression to HRPC. A nadir PSA of 1.0 ng/mL predicts progression to HRPC at 24 months. Predictive factors for failing to achieve a nadir PSA of 1.0 ng/mL or less include pretreatment PSA, percentage positive biopsy core, Gleason score, serum hemoglobin, stage, and extent of bone metastasis in univariate analysis. Pretreatment PSA (>50 ng/mL) and serum hemoglobin (<12 g/dL) were significant factors to predict failing to achieve a nadir PSA of 1.0 ng/mL or less in logistic regression analysis.
Conclusions:   A nadir PSA of 1.0 ng/mL can predict progression to HRPC after CAB. Pretreatment PSA and serum hemoglobin are significant predictors of failing to achieve a nadir PSA of 1.0 ng/mL or less.     

Deferred treatment of localized prostate cancer in the elderly: the impact of the age and stage at the time of diagnosis on the treatment decision

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical behaviour of clinically localized prostate cancer in elderly patients monitored until progression, and the impact of clinical variables, i.e. clinical stage, Gleason score, the dynamics of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and age, on the natural history of the disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 1991 and January 1998, 54 patients (mean age 76.4 years, median 77 at the time of diagnosis) with clinically localized prostate cancer who elected for watchful waiting were identified. They were monitored regularly and treatment deferred until progression. Progression was defined as local stage progression (as assessed on a digital rectal examination), biochemical progression or metastasis. All patients who progressed were offered either radiation therapy or hormonal treatment. Each clinical variable was assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis to predict disease progression. The mean follow-up was 47 months. RESULTS: Of the 54 patients, 28 (52%) progressed; 10 had biochemical, 11 local and four biochemical and local progression, and three developed metastasis. All the patients who progressed elected to receive hormonal treatment. The mean time to progression was 35 months. Gleason score ( 6), age ( 75 years) and serum PSA level ( 10 ng/mL) were statistically significant predictors of disease progression (P = 0.04, < 0.001 and 0.02, respectively). The clinical stage at the time of diagnosis had a borderline effect on disease progression (P = 0.06). On multivariate analysis, Gleason score and PSA level were statistically significant predictors of disease progression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the treatment of prostate cancer should not be deferred in patients aged > 75 years with a good performance status when the biopsy has a Gleason score >/= 6 and the serum PSA level is >/= 10 ng/mL.     

血清PSA值和前列腺结节指导前列腺穿刺活检的临床意义

目的 探讨血清ＰＳＡ浓度变化与前列腺癌及其骨转移的相关性。方法 对９３例直肠指诊异常及血清ＰＳＡ〉４ｎｇ／ｍｌ的患者,行直脾性Ｂ超引志下前列腺穿刺活检;用９９ｍＴｃ－ＭＤＰ行全身骨扫描判断有无骨。结果 ９３例中前列腺活检阳性者６０例,其中２６例扫描阳性;随血清ＰＳＡ浓度升高,前列腺阳性活检率及其远处骨转移阳性率升高。 血清ＰＳＡ升高与前列腺癌及其骨转移的发生率呈正相关。