The value of prostatic specific antigen density in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer

In order to differentiate benign from malignant prostatic lesions, 42 patients were evaluated using the prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) test. All patients were evaluated with PSA determination, digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and ultrasound-guided prostatic biopsies. PSA was analyzed by the I-MX ABBOT assay. PSAD was determined by dividing the serum PSA by the volume of the prostate. Prostatic biopsies identified cancer in 3 of the 42 patients (6.38%). It is concluded that PSAD is valuable for the early diagnosis of localized prostatic carcinoma, especially when there are negative findings from DRE and/or TRUS.     

Utility of Volume Adjusted Prostate Specific Antigen Density in the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer in Arab Men

Background: This study was undertaken to assess the utility of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and PSA density (PSAD) in discriminating between benign and malignant prostate disease in the Kuwaiti Arab population.Methods: A total of 100 consecutive patients suspected of having prostate cancer because of serum PSA > 4 ng/ml, or detection of a prostatic nodule on rectal examination were further investigated by determination of PSAD, TRUS of prostate, sexant prostatic biopsy and histological analysis to establish the correct diagnosis. Other diagnostic measures included the determination of the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity and specificity. Results: Of the 100 prostate biopsies that were performed, 33 cases were confirmed to be prostate cancer and 67 were described as benign lesions comprising benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with or without prostatitis. The age range for patients with prostate cancer was 42–90 years, and 52–90 years for those without prostate cancer. The mean prostate volume was 58.82 cc (range 9–177 cc) and 62.60 cc (range 15–140 cc), the mean PSA value was 36.65 ng/ml (range 5.8–200 ng/ml) and 16.49 ng/ml (range 1.4–46.0 ng/ml), while the mean PSAD was 0.92 (range 0.046–5.714) and 0.452 (range 0.034–2.294) for patients with prostate cancer and patients without prostate cancer respectively. Patients with PSA less than 4 ng/ml (3 cases) all had benign prostate lesions, and 7 cases with PSA more than 50 ng/ml all had prostate cancer and were excluded because values above 50 ng/ml have close to 100% specificity for prostate cancer. Further analysis was done on the remaining 90 cases which were patients with a PSA between 4 and 50 ng/ml. The discriminating power of serum PSA for detecting prostate cancer as estimated by the area under ROC was 0.686 while that for PSAD was 0.732. The maximum likelihood for a positive PSA was at a PSAD cut-off point of 0.32. For the PSA cut-off point of l0 ng/ml, the sensitivity was 80%, and specificity was 42.2%. For the PSAD cut-off point of 0.32, the sensitivity was 58% and the specificity 76.6%. Conclusions: Determination of PSAD is not a useful adjunct to serum PSA values in the range of 10–50 ng/ ml in our population. PSAD value less than 0.32 with PSA less than l0 ng/ml strongly suggests benign disease.     

Value of the Free to Total Prostate Specific Antigen Ratio and Prostate Specific Antigen Density for Detecting Prostate Cancer in Japanese Patients

Background : This study evaluated the free to total serum prostate specific antigen (f/t PSA) ratio and prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) in detecting prostate cancer in Japanese males with a PSA level between 2.5 and 20.0 ng/mL in a community-based urology practice.
Methods : Twenty-six patients with clinically localized prostate cancer and 44 patients with histologically-proven benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were studied. The serum levels of free PSA (fPSA) and total (t) PSA were determined using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. The f/t PSA ratio was calculated by dividing the fPSA value by the total PSA value and was compared with the PSA and PSAD via the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.
Results: Patients with prostate cancer had a significantly lower f/t PSA ratio than patients with BPH. The PSAD was a superior diagnostic tool over PSA (P < 0.01) when analyzed by ROC curves. The f/t PSA ratio was also superior to PSA, but lacked significance (P=0.12), and similarly, the PSAD was superior, but not significant, to the f/t PSA ratio. Using a cut-off value of 0.1 9, the PSAD had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 82%. With a cut-off value of 14.0%, the f/t PSA ratio had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 66%.
Conclusion: This study showed that PSAD alone improved cancer detection significantly better than PSA. However, it is still unclear whether the f/t PSA ratio is superior to PSA or PSAD in the discrimination between BPH and prostate cancer in Japanese male patients.     

Volume-adjusted prostate-specific antigen (PSA) variables in detecting impalpable prostate cancer in men with PSA levels of 2-4 ng/mL: transabdominal measurement makes a significant contribution

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels adjusted according to prostate volume improve prostate cancer detection using transrected biopsies in men with PSA levels of 2-4 ng/mL, and benign findings on a digital rectal examination (DRE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Men aged < or = 79 years and with serum PSA levels of 2-4 ng/mL and normal DRE findings were prospectively enrolled. Eligible patients were recommended for transrectal prostate biopsies after measuring prostate volumes with transrectal (TRUS) and transabdominal (TAUS) ultrasonography, and transition zone volumes with TRUS. In addition to PSA levels and the free-to-total PSA ratio, volume-adjusted PSA levels, PSA densities determined by TRUS (PSAD(TRUS)), and TAUS (PSAD(TAUS)), and PSA transition zone densities (PSATzD) were compared using receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 31 (22%) of the 139 men who had prostate biopsies. The area under the curve (AUC) of PSAD(TRUS) (0.796) and PSATzD (0.792) was similar and significantly greater than that of PSA (AUC 0.588) and the free-to-total PSA ratio (AUC 0.658). PSAD(TAUS) was a significantly better indicator of prostate cancer than PSA levels alone (P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: As predictors of prostate cancer, there were no significant differences between PSAD(TRUS) and PSATzD. Although PSAD(TAUS) was worse than PSA variables adjusted by total and transition zone prostate volumes determined by TRUS, it was a better predictor than the PSA value alone in men with a low PSA level. These results indicate that TAUS is worthwhile where the routine use of TRUS before biopsy is difficult.     

Serum Prostate Specific Antigen and Prostate Specific Antigen Density in Patients Receiving Radical Prostatectomy

Objective: To study the significance of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) for predicting the risk of occult metastatic disease and extra-prostatic invasion of prostate cancer in patients receiving radical prostatectomy.
Patients and methods: The cases of 41 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy were reviewed. Relations of PSA and PSAD using Market M PA^1M assay for grade, preopvrative clinical stage, postoperative pathological stage, capsular penetration, seminal vesicle invasion, resection margins and lymphnode metastasis are discussed.
Results: Although serum PSA was correlated with PSAD and PSA was correlated with preoperative prostate volume, PSAO was not influenced by prostate volume. PSA correlated only with the grade, while PSAD was correlated with grade, preoperative clinical Stage, postoperative pathological stage, capsular penetration, seminal vesicle invasion, resection margins and lymphnode metastasis. In addition, sixty-two percent (8/13) of margin positive patients showed a PSAD value of more than 0.4, while 93% (26/28) of margin negative patients showed less than 0.4. Sixty-seven percent (6/9) of lymphnode positive patients showed a PSAD of more than 0.4, while 91% (29/32) of lymphnode negative patients showed less than 0.4.
Conclusion: We concluded that PSAD was useful for predicting extraprostatic involvement of prostatic cancer.     

Community‐based prostate cancer screening in Japan: Predicting factors for positive repeat biopsy

Objectives: To assess possible predictors in determining criteria for repeat biopsy in a prostate cancer screening population. Methods: A total of 50 207 men over 55 years‐of‐age have participated in a prostate cancer screening program in Otokuni, Kyoto, Japan for 12 years. Transperineal systematic biopsy was carried out in case of positive digital rectal examination (DRE) or positive transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) or a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) value greater than 10.0 ng/mL. For those with a PSA level from 4.1 to 10.0 ng/mL, and negative DRE and TRUS findings, biopsy was indicated only when PSA density (PSAD) was greater than 0.15. The same indication was applied for the repeat biopsy. Results: A repeat biopsy after an interval of more than 2 years was carried out in 140 patients and was positive in 50 (36%) patients. The PSA value at the diagnosis of cancer declined from the initial value in six (12%) patients. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, PSA velocity (PSAV) as well as PSAD and DRE findings at latest screening were independent predictors for positive repeat‐biopsy outcome. The odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of PSAV >0.48, latest PSAD >0.33 and positive latest DRE were 4.17 (1.05–18.5), 4.15 (1.31–14.0), and 3.62 (1.06–13.2), respectively. A combination of three variables defined as positive if any of these were positive, reduced 31% of unnecessary biopsies while missing 8% of low volume, low grade cancers. Conclusions: A combination of latest PSAD, PSAV and positive DRE at latest screening might help to reduce unnecessary repeat biopsies in high‐risk patients with an initial negative biopsy.     

The Clinical Value of the Ratio of Free Prostate Specific Antigen to Total Prostate Specific Antigen

Objective: To examine the usefulness of the ratio of free prostate specific antigen (FPSA) to total prostate specific antigen (TPSA) in men with serum TPSA concentration of 4 to 10 ng/mL by using the cut off value of 0.15 for avoiding unnecessary biopsies. Patients and methods: Two hundred thirty-six men aged between 52 and 91 with symptoms of prostatism were evaluated with digital rectal examination (DRE), FPSA and TPSA measurements. Patients with TPSA values under 4 ng/mL were biopsied if they had positive DRE and/or a FPSA/TPSA ratio lower than 0.15. All patients with TPSA values higher than 4 ng/mL were also biopsied. The predictive value and sensitivity of FPSA/TPSA ratio and TPSA alone were calculated. Results: Eleven patients out of 170 with a TPSA value lower than 4 ng/mL were biopsied. Fifty-five patients had a value between 4.1 and 10 ng/mL. We performed transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and prostate biopsy in these men except one patient. Biopsy proven prostate cancer was detected only in 12 patients. In this group of patients the predictive value of TPSA was 21%, but the predictive value of FPSA/TPSA ratio of 0.15 was 78% maintaining at least 90% sensitivity. Eleven of the patients had a prostate specific antigen (PSA) value higher than 10 ng/mL. In 6 of these patients the biopsy result was prostate cancer and 10 of these patients had a FPSA/TPSA ratio lower than 0.15. Conclusion: In patients with TPSA values between 4–10 ng/mL the cut off value of FPSA/TPSA ratio of 0.15 can be used to eliminate unnecessary biopsies with minimal loss of cancer patients.     

Examination for indication of systematic biopsy for diagnosis of prostate cancer]

BACKGROUND: Systematic biopsy has been commonly used for detection of prostate cancer. Nevertheless, as this examination occasionally gives patients severe complications it is necessary to give careful consideration for application of this examination. Thus, we analyzed retrospectively 145 cases who underwent transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) guided systematic biopsy to evaluate the application of systematic biopsy, correlating with the findings of digital rectal examination (DRE), prostate specific antigen (PSA), the findings of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and the results of biopsies. METHODS: Between May, 1995 and May, 1997, 143 patients who were suspected to have prostate cancer with either of PSA and DRE, and 2 patients who received visual laser ablation of prostate (VLAP), underwent TRUS guided systematic biopsy of prostate. We evaluated diagnostic efficacy of PSA, DRE, TRUS, prostate-volume-specific PSA, and PSA density (PSAD). RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (P.P.V.) are 78.4%, 62.8% and 53.5% for DRE, 100.0%, 4.4% and 41.8% for PSA, 88.2%, 60.0% and 52.9% for TRUS, 87.8%, 72.1% and 64.2% for prostate-volume-specific PSA, 100.0%, 30.6% and 45.4% for PSAD, respectively. Ten of 69 patients (14.5%) whose PSA levels were 4.0 to 10.0 ng/ml were diagnosed as cancer, and positive for both or either of DRE and TRUS. Twenty-seven who were negative for both of DRE and TRUS were not diagnosed as prostate cancer. Using the combination of prostate-volume-specific PSA, DRE and TRUS, we could eliminate 29 non-cancer men (21.5%) whose PSA level was greater than 4.0 ng/ml from systematic biopsy. CONCLUSION: On the diagnosis of prostate cancer, the combination of prostate-volume-specific PSA, DRE and TRUS is very useful to exclude unnecessary systematic biopsy, if an urologist could be used to and trained for DRE and TRUS.     

Early detection of prostate cancer in the ESRD population

BACKGROUND: There are currently no prostate cancer screening guidelines specific to the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population. With this in mind, we evaluated the clinical usefulness of digital rectal examination (DRE), serum total prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in predicting prostate cancer in men with ESRD. METHODS: Fifty male ESRD patients age 40 years and older with no prior history of prostate cancer were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent PSA measurement and a DRE followed by a TRUS. PSAD was calculated as the total PSA divided by the prostate volume. Ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies were performed on any patient with 1 or more of the following abnormal findings: a nodule detected on DRE; an abnormal TRUS; PSA > 4.0 ng/ml, or a PSAD > 0.15 ng/ml/cm3. RESULTS: Abnormal findings were detected in 19 patients. Two (4%) had an abnormal DRE, 3 (6%) had PSA > 4.0 ng/ml, 3 (6%) had PSAD > 0.15 ng/ml/cm3 and 16 (32%) had abnormal findings on TRUS. Three patients had 2 abnormal findings and 1 had 3. Of the 15 prostate biopsies performed, 4 (27%) revealed prostate cancer and 3 (20%) high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasm (HGPIN) comprising 8% and 6%, respectively, of the studied population. Of the 4 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, none had abnormal DRE, 2 (50%) had PSA > 4.0 ng/ml (sensitivity = 66.7% and PPV = 50% (p = 0.236)), 3 (75%) had PSAD > 0.15 ng/ml/cm3 (sensitivity = 100% and PPV = 75% (p < 0.018)), and 3 (75%) had abnormal findings on TRUS (sensitivity = 30% and PPV = 75% (p = 1.000)). CONCLUSION: Routine screening with PSA and DRE does not seem sensitive enough to predict the presence of the disease. Although TRUS detected abnormalities in 16 patients (32%), sensitivity was very low (30%). In our patients, PSAD increased the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of detecting prostate cancers compared to PSA alone.     

Clinicopathological Features of Prostate Cancer Detected by Transrectal Ultrasonography-Guided Systematic Six-Sextant Biopsy

Background :
The objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy of 3 modalities (prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay, digital rectal examination (DRE), and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)) in detecting prostate cancer which was pathologically confirmed by TRUS-guided systematic six-sextant biopsy, and to investigate the relationship between the number of positive cores and several clinicopathological parameters.
Methods :
Between 1 992 and 1994, 297 males (155 from a mass screening program and 142 identified as outpatients) with a mean age of 71 years, underwent examinations including PSA determination, DRE, TRUS and systematic six-sextant biopsy, and/or additional directed biopsy.
Results :
Prostate cancer was detected in 93 men. The sensitivity level of the PSA assay was significantly higher (85%) than that of either DRE or TRUS. Patients with an abnormal DRE or TRUS, elevated PSA levels, and those in the T3-T4 category or with moderate to poorly-differentiated adenocarcinomas had more positive biopsy cores (P< 0.05). Also, the relationships of both the number of positive biopsy cores and tumor grade to bone metastasis were significant (P < 0.01). Of 209 hypoechoic areas identified by transrectal ultrasonography, 42% were cancerous, and of 427 isoechoic areas, 1 2% were cancerous. The percentage of positive biopsy cores with hypoechoic areas was 86% in the subjects with a PSA > 10 ng/mL, but low (9%) in subjects with a PSA < 4 ng/mL, and the percentage of negative biopsy cores with a normal TRUS was high (98%) in subjects with a PSA of < 4 ng/mL, but lower (67%) in subjects with a PSA > 10 ng/mL.
Conclusion :
The serum PSA assay was more useful than either DRE or TRUS in detecting prostate cancer. The percentage of bone metastasis increased concomitant with the number of positive biopsy cores, and the positive biopsy rate of hypoechoic areas positively correlated with the PSA level.     

以前列腺特异抗原水平分组筛查与前列腺穿刺阳性率的关系

目的探讨不同血清前列腺特异抗原(PSA)水平前列腺癌检出情况以及直肠指诊(DRE)、经直肠超声检查(TRUS)、PSA密度(PSAD)等指标对筛查前列腺穿刺活检病例的意义。方法回顾性分析在1996年4月至2002年12月间行TRUS引导前列腺6点系统穿刺活检的634例患者的诊断资料,对各PSA组(≤4.0,4.1~,10.1~和>20.0μg/L组)中前列腺癌的检出率,以及PSA、DRE、TRUS、PSAD等对前列腺癌的预测作用进行t检验、χ2检验和多因素Logistic回归分析。结果PSA≤4.0,4.1~,10.1~和>20.0μg/L各组的前列腺癌检出率分别为11.6%(17/146),26.8%(38/142),39.8%(68/171)和68.6%(120/175)。PSA的敏感性最高(93.0%),特异性低(33.0%);DRE、TRUS等诊断效率较低。随血清PSA水平升高,前列腺癌检出率以及DRE、TRUS的阳性预测值逐渐升高;在PSA4.1~20.0μg/L者中,PSAD对前列腺癌有较大的预测价值(OR=687.09±646.96,P=0.000)。以PSAD≥0.13μg.L-1.cm-3为截点筛查前列腺穿刺病例,可在不明显降低敏感性的基础上,减少阴性穿刺。结论各PSA组国人与欧美等国前列腺癌检出率有较大差别;DRE、TRUS的筛查作用与血清PSA水平有关;按PSA水平分组筛查穿刺病例,可提高前列腺穿刺的阳性率。     

Elevated serum prostate specific antigen levels in conjunction with an initial prostatic biopsy negative for carcinoma: who should undergo a repeat biopsy?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of repeated prostatic biopsies in men attending with suspected prostate cancer but an initial negative biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who had undergone two or more transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies were identified from the Hospital Information Support System database. Indications for TRUS were a raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (>4.0 ng/mL), with or without an abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE). Sextant prostate biopsies plus biopsies of any suspicious hypoechoic area or area of DRE abnormality were obtained for histology. Forty-eight patients underwent repeat TRUS-guided prostatic biopsies (mean age 67.5, sd 7. 25, range 53-82 years). RESULTS: The mean (sd, median, range) PSA level was 16.9 (13.5, 11.6, 5.2-61.8) ng/mL. Fifteen patients (31%) had carcinoma on repeat biopsy, 11 after the second and four after a third biopsy. The positive repeat biopsy rate was 24% where the PSA level was 4.0-9.9 ng/mL, 33% if the level was 10.0-19.9 ng/mL and 39% if it was >/=20.0 ng/mL. There was no significant difference in age or initial PSA concentration between those men with positive and those with negative repeat biopsies. However, patients with cancer had significantly higher PSA levels before repeat biopsy than at first biopsy (P=0.0043) and had greater PSA velocities than had patients with no diagnosis of cancer (P=0.0067). CONCLUSION: Where sufficient clinical suspicion exists, despite an initial negative biopsy, repeat TRUS-guided prostate biopsies should be carried out to exclude carcinoma of the prostate.     

An algorithm for prostate cancer detection in a patient population using prostate-specific antigen and prostate-specific antigen density

Summary Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most accurate serum marker for cancer of the prostate (CaP). However, its sensitivity and specificity are suboptimal, especially at values ranging between 4.1 and 10.0 ng/ml (monoclonal), because benign prostatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia (BPH) and CaP frequently coexist in this range. This study was undertaken to determine the value of incorporating prostate volume measurements with serum PSA levels in a quotient (PSA/volume) entitled PSA density (PSAD). A total of 3140 patients were analyzed and stratified by serum PSA, digital rectal examination (DRE), transrectal prostate ultrasound (TRUS), TRUS volume determination and PSAD. All patients were referred for evaluation and therefore do not represent a screened population. Patients underwent prostate biopsies when abnormalities in TRUS or DRE were detected. Although both PSA and PSAD have statistical significance when the serum PSA value is 4.0 ng/ml, neither has clinical significance in differentiating BPH from CaP. At serum levels ranging between 4.1 and 10.0 ng/ml, PSA has no ability to differentiate BPH from CaP, whereas PSAD does so with statistical and clinical significance. When the PSA value is between 10.1 and 20.0 ng/ml, only PSAD is statistically significant. When PSA exceeds 20 ng/ml, PSAD is redundant. We conclude that all patients with an abnormality on DRE or TRUS should undergo prostate biopsy. If the PSA value is 4.0 ng/ml, TRUS and PSAD are not warranted and routine biopsy is not recommended. For intermediate PSA levels, 4.1–10.0 ng/ml, TRUS, TRUS prostate volume, and PSAD are important. The use of PSAD provides unique information regarding the need for biopsy and the likelihood of CaP. At PSA levels ranging between 10.1 and 20.0 ng/ml, PSAD will identify those patients who are less likely to have CaP, but all should undergo biopsy. If the PSA value is >20 ng/ml, all patients should undergo a biopsy.     

前列腺特异性抗原≤4.0μg/L前列腺癌的诊断

目的:评价直肠指检(DRE)、经直肠超声(TRUS)、游离前列腺特异性抗原/总前列腺特异性抗原(fPSA/t-PSA)、前列腺特异性抗原密度(PSAD)对前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)≤4.0μg/L PCa的诊断价值。方法:回顾性分析1996年4月至2012年12月解放军总医院超声科PSA≤4.0μg/L的前列腺穿刺患者共343例,年龄30~91岁。将患者按PSA含量0.0~1.0μg/L、1.1~2.0μg/L、2.1~3.0μg/L、3.1~4.0μg/L分为4组,评价DRE、TRUS、f-PSA/t-PSA、PSAD在不同PSA水平下PCa患者中的诊断价值,同时按年龄分为5组:≤49岁、50~59岁、60~69岁、70~79岁、≥80岁,评价不同PSA水平下不同年龄患者PCa的检出率。结果:343例患者中,共检出PCa 65例,检出率19.0%。PSA含量0.0~1.0μg/L、1.1~2.0μg/L、2.1~3.0μg/L、3.1~4.0μg/L时PCa的检出率分别为16.28%(21/129)、17.17%(17/99)、21.82%(12/55)、25.00%(15/60)。PSA≤2.0μg/L时,f-PSA/t-PSA比值在PCa和非PCa患者中没有明显差异(P0.05),而PSA2.0μg/L时有明显差异(P0.05)。而PSAD值在PCa组与非PCa组中分别为(0.09±0.16)μg/L/ml、(0.06±0.07)μg/L/ml,没有明显差异(P0.05)。随着PSA含量的升高,PCa的检出率相应升高,各年龄段的检出率没有明显差异(P0.05)。结论:当PSA含量在2.1~4.0μg/L时,若DRE/TRUS异常,则应引起重视,定期随访,监测PSA变化;若f-PSA/t-PSA≤0.15,伴或不伴DRE/TRUS异常,均应该行前列腺穿刺活检,以明确诊断。而对于PSA在0.0~2.0μg/L时,DRE、TRUS、f-PSA/t-PSA比值和PSAD均不能有效诊断PCa。     

Evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging-based prostate-specific antigen density of the prostate in the diagnosis of prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density of the prostatic volume (PSAD) estimated using transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS; TRUS-based PSAD), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; MRI-based PSAD), and PSA density of the transition zone (TZ) volume (PSATZD) estimated using MRI (MRI-based PSATZD) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients, who were suspected to have PCa based on PSA, ranged between 4.1 and 20.0 ng/mL were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: The prostatic volume estimated using TRUS was smaller than the volume estimated using MRI by 11.4% in the patients with PSA levels ranging 4.1-20.0 ng/mL, 7.2% in those 4.1-10.0 ng/mL, and 15.7% in those 10.1-20.0 ng/mL, respectively. PSA levels were correlated with the prostatic volume estimated using TRUS and MRI, and TZ volume estimated using MRI in the patients without PCa; however, the level was not correlated with them in the patients with PCa. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of MRI-based PSAD was higher than that of TRUS-based PSAD; however, there was no statistical difference. Stepwise logistic regression analysis for the prediction of PCa by using PSA-related parameters confirmed that MRI-based PSATZD was the most significant predictor in patients with PSA levels in the range of 4.1-20.0 ng/mL (P < 0.001), the range of 4.1-10.0 ng/mL (P = 0.002), and the range of 10.1-20.0 ng/mL (P < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prostatic volume estimated using TRUS was smaller than the volume estimated using MRI. MRI-based PSATZD is the most significant predictor in the four parameters.     

Prostate biopsy in subjects with abnormal transrectal ultrasonography but normal digital examination findings and prostate-specific antigen levels

Aim The aim of the present study was to evaluate the value of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) for prostate cancer diagnosis in men with no other indication for biopsy, such as an abnormal digital rectal examination or abnormally high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Materials and methods The study cohort contained a total of 104 men aged 41–78 years (median 62.5 years) who had suspicious findings on TRUS. The median prostate volume of the patients was 33.0 ml (range 15.0–90.9) and the serum PSA ranged from 0.2 to 4.0 ng/ml (median 2.5 ng/ml). Results Of 104 men, 12 (11.5%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer on initial biopsy. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 3.7% for PSA 0.1–1.0 ng/ml, 4.8% for PSA 1.1–2.0 ng/ml, 16.7% for PSA 2.1–3.0 ng/ml and 18.4% for PSA 3.1–4.0 ng/ml. The PPV for cancer with Gleason score 7 or higher was 0.0%, 0.0%, 16.7% and 7.9%, respectively. No statistically significant differences in patient characteristics and biopsy results were found between patients who received only systemic biopsy and those who received systemic plus lesion-directed biopsies. Conclusion The results of this study do not provide a rationale to recommend the additional use of lesion-directed biopsy in patients with suspicious lesions at TRUS but with no other indication for biopsy. Furthermore, our data raise the question of whether serum PSA levels lower than 4.0 ng/ml should be considered normal in Asian men.     

The Value of Serum Prostate Specific Antigen and other Parameters in Detecting Bone Metastases in Prostate Cancer

The cut-off value of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in prediction of bone metastases and the correlation of serum PSA with the clinical stage, grade, score and the rate of bone metastases have been investigated in cases of prostate cancer (PCa).The study population consisted of 160 patients with histologically proven PCa between April, 1993 and August, 1996. The negative predictive value and the sensitivity were the highest (94%) in patients with a serum PSA value less than 10 ng/ml.We claim that in patients with PSA values less than 10 ng/ml whole body bone scan is not necessary.     

Follow-up of men with elevated prostate-specific antigen and one set of benign biopsies at prostate cancer screening

OBJECTIVE: To study the follow-up of men with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (>3 ng/ml) after one benign set of sextant biopsies. From the G?teborg branch of the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC). METHOD: 456 men with one set of benign sextant biopsies were followed every second year for 4 years with PSA determinations. In cases of elevated PSA, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided sextant biopsies were suggested. Digital rectal examination (DRE), prostate volume, PSA, PSA density (PSAD) and the ratio between free and total PSA (PSA F/T) were recorded. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 322 men. 3 groups were identified. In 84/322 (26%) men cancer was found ("cancer" group). 182/322 (56%) had benign biopsies ("benign" group) and 56/322 (17%) had normalised PSA ("normalised PSA" group). Median prostate volumes were 36, 46, and 33 cc respectively in the three groups. DRE and/or TRUS were abnormal in only 30% of the men in all groups. Cancer was not found in any prostate >70 cc volume. In prostates of <20 cc either cancer was found or PSA was normalised. The "normalised PSA" group had initial PSA, PSAD and PSA F/T similar to cancer, normalising during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with one negative sextant biopsy still have a high likelihood of cancer, especially men with persistently elevated PSA and small prostates (<20 cc) while the majority of men with large prostates (>70 cc) have PSA elevation due to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and not to cancer.     

Multiple vesico-urethral biopsies following radical prostatectomy: the predictive roles of TRUS, DRE, PSA and the pathological stage

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to verify the predictive role of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) of prostatic fossa, digital rectal examination (DRE), prostate specific antigen (PSA) and pathological stage after radical prostectomy in the detection of a prostate tumor recurrence at the level of the vesico-urethral anastomosis by means of multiple TRUS biopsies (6-8 cores).MATERIAL AND METHODS: From October 1997, following a radical prostatectomy, 119 consecutive patients (median age: 67.9 years) with a PSA>or=0.2 ng/ml (median PSA: 0.9 ng/ml) underwent DRE and TRUS examinations with a 5.0-7.5 MHz variable frequency end-fire probe (Hitachi Medical System) and an EUB-525 machine. All patients received six TRUS-guided biopsies of the vesico-urethral anastomosis, and 1-2 additional biopsies directed to hypo-echoic or suspicious areas, if detected by TRUS.RESULTS: Biopsies revealed recurrent carcinoma in 50% of patients (60/119). TRUS proved more sensitive than DRE (75% vs. 50%; p=0.01) and, conversely, DRE proved more specific than a TRUS (85% vs. 66%; p=0.03). Cancer was detected in 45% of the 34 patients with a PSAor=2.0 ng/ml (24 patients), TRUS was able to detect every biopsy-proven local recurrence lesion (sensitivity: 100%). Conversely, all patients with a PSA>or=2.0 ng/ml and a negative TRUS had a negative biopsy (negative predictive value: 100%). In a multi-variable logistical analysis, the most predictive parameters determining a positive biopsy rate among those values studied (PSA, DRE, TRUS, positive surgical margins, pathological stage and time to PSA elevation) were TRUS and DRE findings (p=0.003, with an odds ratio of 4.6 and p=0.02, with an odds ratio of 4.1, respectively).CONCLUSION: TRUS and TRUS biopsies utilizing 6-8 cores are efficient tools in the detection of local recurrence after a radical prostatectomy, even with a PSAor=2.0 ng/ml and a negative TRUS, a biopsy of the vesico-urethral anastomosis could be avoided since the negative predictive value is 100%. Cancer recurrence detection seems to be predicted by TRUS and DRE findings, but not by PSA levels, pathological stage, status of the surgical margins or time to PSA elevation.     

General features and strategy in the diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men as well as the second leading cause of cancer death. Age, family history and race are proved risk factors for developing a PCa. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) in combination with the digital rectal examination (DRE) has proven to be an essential element in early prostate cancer detection. Enthusiasm for using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) alone to identify early prostate cancer has not been demonstrated with longer follow-up. The major role of TRUS today is to ensure accurate wide-area sampling of prostate tissue in men with PCa suspicion. This is best accomplished by targeted biopsy of TRUS-suspicious lesions and systematic biopsy of areas without hypoechoic lesions. Urologists recommend digital rectal examination and a PSA blood test annually starting at age 50.