The significance of TPSA, free to total PSA ratio and PSA density in prostate carcinoma diagnostics

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the one of the most valuable tumor markers for the early detection and management of prostate carcinoma, but not an ideal one because of poor specificity in the case of prostatic hypertrophy and other benign conditions. In order to overcome this drawback some other parameters as is free to total ratio (F/T) PSA and PSA density (PSAD) are introduced. It has been investigated in 60 patients, 18 of them are proved to be found prostate cancer and other 42 were identified as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Patients with CaP had TPSA median of 11.4 ng/ml and the others with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) had 6.9 ng/ml. In these two groups there was statistical significant difference (p 0.01). By receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) estimated cutoff for TPSA was 4.0 ng/ml with 95% sensitivity, 30% specificity and area covered by ROC was in amount of 0.76. Median F/T ratio for patients with prostate cancer was 0.10, and for benign prostatic hyperplasia patients it was 0.25. For these values there is also statistical difference (p). Using ROC cutoff for F/T PSA was determined at the value of 0.18 with sensitivity 95%, specificity 80% and area under the curve (AUC) 0.93. Median for PSAD in the group with CaP was 0.38 and in the BPH group was 0.16. There was statistical significance within those two groups. In conclusion F/T PSA, PSAD and TPSA are valuable tumor markers in distinguishing patients with CaP ant those without with modestly raised TPSA. Also F/T PSA showed up as better marker than TPSA and PSAD in investigated group of patients.     

Comparison of value of free-to total prostate specific antigen, prostate specific antigen density and prostate specific antigen density of transition zone for diagnosis of prostate cancer in patients with a PSA level of 4.1-10 ng/ml

PURPOSE: We evaluated the utility of free-to total PSA (F/T PSA) ratio, PSA density (PSAD) and PSA density of the transition zone (PSATZ) in diagnosis of prostate cancer with intermediate PSA level (4.1-10 ng/ml). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2003, systematic prostate biopsies were performed on 178 patients with intermediate PSA level. The clinical values of F/T PSA ratio, PSAD and PSATZ for the detection of prostate cancer were compared by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Overall, 57 of the 178 (32%) patients had prostate carcinoma. The ROC curve analysis showed PSAD and PSATZ were superior to F/T PSA ratio in patients with intermediate PSA level. In patients with total prostate volume greater than 30 cm3, the area under the ROC curve for F/T PSA ratio was greater than that for PSAD and PSATZ. CONCLUSIONS: PSAD and PSATZ were more powerful predictors of prostate cancer than F/T PSA ratio in patients with intermediate PSA level. While F/T PSA ratio was effective for diagnosis of prostate cancer in prostate volume greater than 30 cm3.     

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.     

Prostate-specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume as a second screening test: A prospective study of 248 cases

AIM: This study was conducted to verify the effectiveness of prostate-specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume (PSATZ), and its availability as a second screening test for prostate cancer detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and free PSA was measured in male patients who visited our outpatient department for voiding difficulty or screening for prostate cancer. Patients who had an intermediate PSA level between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL, with an apparently normal prostate on a digital rectal examination, were enrolled. PSATZ, free-to-total PSA ratio (F/T ratio) and PSA density (PSAD) were calculated and statistical comparisons between biopsy-positive (cancer) and biopsy-negative patients (benign) were conducted. RESULTS: Of 248 patients, 51 (20.6%) had prostate cancer and 197 (79.4%) had benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on pathologic examination. Mean PSA, PSAD, F/T ratio and PSATZ were 7.48 +/- 1.77 ng/mL, 0.23 +/- 0.09 ng/mL per mL, 0.14 +/- 0.08 and 0.71 +/- 0.44 ng/mL per mL in patients with prostate cancer and 6.59 +/- 1.60 ng/mL, 0.16 +/- 0.07 ng/mL per mL, 0.21 +/- 0.11 and 0.36 +/- 0.30 ng/mL per mL in patients with benign, respectively. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that PSATZ predicted the biopsy outcome better than F/T ratio. With a cut-off value of 0.37 ng/mL per mL, PSATZ had a sensitivity of 74.5% and a specificity of 72.6% for predicting prostate cancer. The maximal cut-off value that preserves 100% of sensitivity was 0.2, and at this cut-off value, 16.1% of unnecessary biopsies could be reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate-specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume may be more useful than other strategies in detecting prostate cancer in patients with intermediate PSA levels of 4.0-10.0 ng/mL. It can be used as a second screening test to reduce unnecessary biopsy.     

Prostate-specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume versus free-to-total prostate-specific antigen ratio in predicting prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: We performed this study to assess the efficacy of prostate-specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume (PSATZ) and free-to-total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio (F/T ratio) in predicting prostate cancer in men with intermediate PSA levels of 4.1-10.0 ng/mL. METHODS: Between March 1997 and September 1998, PSATZ was obtained from 67 patients who underwent ultrasonography guided systemic sextant biopsies and had a PSA of 4.1-10.0 ng/mL. PSATZ was compared with F/T ratio via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Of 67 patients, 22 (32.8%) had prostate cancer and 45 (67.2%) had benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on pathologic examination. Mean PSA, PSA density, F/T ratio and PSATZ were 7.96+/-2.01ng/mL, 0.28+/-0.14 ng/mL/cc, 0.10+/-0.06 and 0.70+/-0.28 ng/mL/cc in patients with prostate cancer and 6.39+/-1.68 ng/mL, 0.16+/-0.06 ng/mL/cc, 0.15+/-0.05 and 0.29+/-0.10 ng/mL/cc in patients with BPH, respectively. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that PSATZ predicted the biopsy outcome significantly better than F/T ratio in all 67 patients (P<0.01) and in a subset of 53 men with normal digital rectal examination (P<0.01). With a cut-off value of 0.35 ng/mL/cc, PSATZ had a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 89% for predicting prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PSATZ and F/T ratio may be useful in diagnosing prostate cancer with intermediate levels of PSA. Prostate-specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume is more accurate than F/T ratio in distinguishing benign prostatic disease from prostate cancer. But large prospective studies are required to assess the precise role of PSATZ and F/T ratio in early prostate cancer detection.     

The clinical potential of pretreatment serum testosterone level to improve the efficiency of prostate cancer screening

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of the pretreatment serum testosterone (T) level as a potential predictor of prostate cancer risk in screening for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 420 patients suspected of having prostate cancer who underwent prostate biopsy, and whose pretreatment T levels were recorded. We checked for association between the presence of prostate cancer and the following clinical factors: pretreatment serum T level, age, pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, digital rectal examination findings, ratio of free to total PSA, prostate volume, and PSA density (PSAD). RESULTS: Overall, there was no significant difference in mean pretreatment T level between patients diagnosed with cancer (3.9+/-2.4 ng/ml) and patients diagnosed with benign prostate disease (BPD; 3.7+/-1.7 ng/ml); diagnosis was based on prostate biopsy. However, among patients with PSA <10 ng/ml, the pretreatment T level was significantly higher in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (4.2+/-2.6 ng/ml) than in patients diagnosed with BPD (3.6+/-1.4 ng/ml) (p=0.007); a similar trend was observed among patients with PSAD <0.15 ng/ml/cc. Multivariate analysis indicated that pretreatment T level was an independent significant predictor of positive prostate biopsy (p=0.020). Additionally, the serum T level was significantly lower in patients with a Gleason score >or=7 (3.7+/-2.1 ng/ml) versus a score <7 (4.2+/-1.7 ng/ml) (p=0.030). Also, serum T levels were significantly higher in well-differentiated prostate cancer (4.8+/-2.1 ng/ml) versus moderately differentiated (3.8+/-1.3 ng/ml) or poorly differentiated (3.7+/-1.4 ng/ml) (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Among relatively low-risk patients, serum T level was an independent significant predictor of positive prostate biopsy, suggesting that the efficiency of prostate cancer screening can be improved by including measurement of serum T level.     

PSA密度在PSA 2.5～10.0 ng/mL和10.1～20.0 ng/mL患者前列腺癌诊断价值的多中心研究

目的探讨前列腺特异性抗原密度(PSAD)在前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)值位于2.5~10 ng/m L和10.1~20.0 ng/m L患者前列腺癌诊断的效能。方法回顾性分析广州地区两家医院中PSA在2.5~20.0 ng/m L之间,行经直肠前列腺体积测量并行前列腺穿刺的461名患者临床资料,入选者分为PSA 2.5~10.0 ng/m L和PSA10.1~20.0 ng/m L两组,通过受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)分析法评价PSAD与PSA在预测前列腺癌的诊断效力。结果 PSA 2.5~10.0 ng/m L和PSA 10.1~20.0 ng/ml两组的曲线下面积比较,PSAD均高于PSA。在PSA 2.5~10.0 ng/m L组,PSAD预测前列腺癌的最佳临界点为0.15 ng·m L~(-1)·m L~(-1),敏感性和特异性分别为64.4%和64.6%;在PSA10.1~20.0 ng/m L组,PSAD预测前列腺癌的最佳临界点为0.33 ng·m L~(-1)·m L~(-1),敏感性和特异性分别为60.3%和82.7%。结论对于PSA2.5~10.0 ng/m L和10.1~20.0 ng/m L的中国男性,PSAD是一种更优的前列腺癌预测指标。     

Combined use of PSA density and free to total PSA ratio for cancer detection from patients with PSA elevations

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been used an excellent diagnostic indicator, but its low cancer specificity has been pointed out. In this study, we investigated whether or not the use of Prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) in combination with free/total (F/T) ratio could improve biopsy indication in patients with abnormal PSA levels. Investigated were 428 patients undergoing prostate biopsy in our institution between January 2001 and September 2004, in which PSA levels were 4-20 ng/ml, and F/T ratio and prostate volume (hereinafter 'PV') could also be measured. At the cut-off values of 0.15 for PSAD and 0.25 for F/T ratio, the specificity and sensitivity were 37.7% and 85.5%, respectively, with PSAD alone; 20.1% and 91.8%, respectively, with F/T ratio alone; and 46.5% and 100%, respectively, with PSAD and F/T ratio. These results indicated that PSAD in combination with F/T ratio could also be an excellent biopsy indicator.     

Prostate specific antigen density for discriminating prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia in the gray zone of prostate-specific antigen.

Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) is currently the best blood marker for prostate cancer. However, low specificity for detection of prostate cancer, especially in the gray zone of PSA, is a problem. We evaluated the clinical significance of PSA density (PSAD) in gray zone PSA cases with conversion of serum PSA to a Stanford reference value. In a series of histologically confirmed 63 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients and 234 prostate cancer patients, 36 BPH patients and 25 prostate cancer patients had gray zone PSA levels. Serum PSA was measured with the Markit-F or Markit-M PA assay. All data were converted to Stanford reference values. We used transabdominal ultrasound to determine prostate volume. PSAD was determined as the serum PSA/prostate volume ratio. The mean PSA values for BPH and prostate cancer were 6.42 +/- 1.80 and 7.80 +/- 2.15 ng/ml (p = 0.0116), respectively, and prostate volume was 33.4 +/- 14.1 ml and 17.1 +/- 8.2 ml, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean PSAD for prostate cancer was 0.572 +/- 0.363 while that for BPH was 0.218 +/- 0.085 (p = 0.0001). Cut-off values with sensitivity > 90% were 0.218 for PSAD and 30 ml for prostate volume. At these cut-off values, specificity reached 56% for each marker. In discriminating prostate cancer from BPH in the gray zone of PSA, PSAD demonstrated better performance than PSA.     

前列腺特异抗原水平为4～10 μg/L的前列腺癌诊断对策

目的评价现有的前列腺特异抗原(PSA)修正方法对PSA在4~10μg/L的前列腺癌的诊断价值。方法选取经直肠B超引导下前列腺多点穿刺活检血PSA测值在4~10μg/L的86例患者,分析其PSAD、PSATZ、F/T比值及PSA修正方法各域值范围内,对前列腺癌诊断的敏感度及特异度。结果PSAD、PSATZ和F/T比值在各域值范围内,对诊断前列腺癌的敏感度均未超过50%,将PSAD域值设为0.18μg/L/cc时有较高的敏感度,F/T比值设为0.25时有较高的特异度,而PSATZ在各域值范围内对前列腺癌的敏感度及特异度无显著优势。结论PSA修正方法不能有效提高国人血PSA4~10μg/L的前列腺癌检出率;当PSAD超过0.18μg/L应建议患者作前列腺穿刺活检,F/T比值小于0.25则应增加穿刺点。     

Diagnostic value of prostate-specific antigen-related parameters in discriminating prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Using the percentage (of total) of free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in discriminating prostate cancer (CaP) from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) has not been fully delineated in Japanese men. To clarify the clinical significance of percent free PSA, various parameters, including total prostate volume, percent free PSA, PSA density (PSAD) and PSA density of transition zone volume (PSAT), were compared. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients who had visited one of three community-based hospitals, and whose total PSA value ranged from 4 to 20 ng/mL were prospectively enrolled in this study. Fresh sera were applied to measure the percent free PSA. RESULTS: Of the 97 patients, CaP and BPH were diagnosed in 24 (25%) and 73 patients, respectively. In discriminating CaP patients, the cutoff values of 17% for percent free PSA, 0.3 ng/mL per cm3 for PSAT, and 0.19 ng/mL per cm3 for PSAD yielded specificity levels of 56, 40 and 58% at sensitivity levels of 92, 92 and 79%, respectively. As for the 65 patients with intermediate PSA, range 410 ng/mL, and normal digital rectal examination, the percent free PSA and total prostate volume statistically discriminated CaP patients from BPH patients. A multiple logistic regression model proved percent free PSA to be the only significant discriminating factor (P=0.045; odds ratio, 9.06). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study revealed percent free PSA to be a significant useful predictor in discriminating CaP from BPH in Japanese men.     

El cociente psa:α1 antiquimotripsina/psa total (c/t) en el diagnóstico del cáncer de próstata en el rango de psa total entre 4 y 10 ng/ml

ObjetiveTo evaluate the usefulness of the ratio PSA: alpha-1-antichymotrypsin/total PSA (C/T) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in the range of total PSA between 4 and 10 ng/mLMaterial and methodBy using home-made ELISAs we have determined plasmatic concentrations of total PSA and complex PSA:alpha-1-ACT in 300 patients with total PSA between 4-10 ng/mL. All samples were obtained before any manipulation that could interfere the PSA levelsResultsBy prostatic biopsy 85 patients (28,3%) were diagnosed of prostate cancer (CaP) and 215 (71,6%) of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The mean values of the complex PSA:alpha-1-ACT (4,2 ng/mL in the BPH patients vs 5,0 ng/mL in the CaP patients) and of the C/T ratio (0,70 vs 0,82, respectively) showed significant differences between both groups (p = <0,0001). The total PSA did not show differences (6,1 ng/mL vs 6,0 ng/mL; p = 0,79). From all three parameter evaluated, the ratio C/T had the biggest area under the ROC (0,884) and statistically significant differences in comparison with total PSA (0,490; p = <0,001) and the complex PSA:alpha-1-ACT (0,696; p = <0,001). Therefore, by using a ratio C/T > 0,62 to decide the performance of a biopsy, 27% of the patients with BPH could have avoided this procedure with a 100% sensitivity. Increasing the ratio to 0,68 the specificity is 47% and the sensitivity is 95,2%. Rectal examination did not have influence on the cut-off, sensitivity, specificity and area under the ROC of the ratio C/TConclusionsOur results confirm that the ratio C/T improve the diagnostic capacity of the total PSA between 4-10 ng/ml. Moreover, the rectal examination does not influence the selection of ratio C/T cut-off suggestives of CaP neither the diagnostic efficacy     

抗炎治疗后亚临床型前列腺炎患者血清PSA变化及其临床意义

目的 探讨抗炎治疗后亚临床型前列腺炎患者血清PSA变化及其临床意义.方法 直肠指检阴性的亚临床型前列腺炎患者136例.实验窒检查PSA 4.2～49.7(14.0±7.8)ng/ml.136例予抗炎治疗后2周复查PSA并在B超引导下行前列腺穿刺活检.评估抗炎治疗前后PSA、PSA密度(PSAD)、游离/结合PSA(f/t PSA)及其变化(△PSA、△PSAD、△f/t PSA),受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析抗炎前后各参数对前列腺癌的诊断效力.采用SPSS 11.0软件对组间行t检验.结果 136例穿刺活检诊断为前列腺癌33例.良性病变103例.抗炎治疗前后相比:PSA由(14.0±7.8)ng/ml降至(10.4±7.7)ng/ml、PSAD从(0.24±0.12)ng·ml1·ml~(-1)降至(0.18±0.12)ng·ml~(-1)·ml 1、f/t PSA从0.23±0.08降至0.16±0.07,治疗前后比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).△PSA、△PSAD和△f/tPSA分别为(-3.59±4.34)ng/ml、(-0.10±0.09)ng·ml-1·ml-1及-0.06±0.05.抗炎治疗前PSA、PSAD和f/t PSA诊断前列腺癌ROC曲线下面积分别为0.288、0.642和0.504,△PSA、APSAD和△f/tPSA诊断前列腺癌ROC曲线下面积分别为0.910、0.957和0.983,与治疗前比较差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.01).结论 亚临床型前列腺炎伴有PSA增高者经抗炎治疗2周后血清PSA明显下降;利用抗炎治疗后△PSA、APSAD、△f/t PSA可提高前列腺癌的诊断率,减少不必要的前列腺穿刺活检.     

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.     

Utilidad del cociente psa-l/psa-t y la dpsa para la discriminación entre hipertrofia benigna de próstata y cáncer de próstata

objectiveTo investigate the clinical significance of the free-to-total prostate-specific antigen ratio (f/tPSA) and PSA density (PSAD) for prostate cancer detection in patients with intermediate tPSA levels (4-10 ng/ml). To establish a cutoff to discriminate between benign prostatic disease (BPH) and prostate cancer (CaP), avoiding unnecessary biopsiesMethodsThis prospective study included 136 men, aged between 54 and 85 (mean 70,6) years old. Urinary tract symptoms were present in these patients. Serum samples were obtained to measure tPSA, fPSA, and f/tPSA; digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasound eight-sector biopsies were performed. Prostate volume was measured and PSAD calculated. The pathologic study, carried out in 113 patients, showed 82 with BPH and 31 with prostate cancer in various stagesResultsThere were no significant differences between patients with BPH and CaP when comparing tPSA, fPSA, f/tPSA or digital rectal examination. PSAD and prostate volume were significantly different in patients with BPH and CaP. With a sensitivity of 94% (78,5-99), the f/tPSA cutoff was 0,28 with a 11% (5,2-19,8) specificity. With a sensitivity of 96,2% (80,3-99,4) cutoff for PSAD was 0,109 and specificity 25% (15,5-36,6)ConclusionsIn patients whose tPSA level is between 4 and 10 ng/ml, f/tPSA has no advantages over tPSA measurement for early detection of prostate cancer. DPSA can improve specificities, without compromising the detection of CaP     

Significance of re-measurement of prostate specific antigen before prostate biopsy

To examine the natural change of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), we compared two PSA values, the first value with which we decided to perform prostate biopsy and the value obtained by remeasurement just before biopsy. To exclude cases with extremely high PSA, we examined 288 cases in which PSA was less than 50 ng/ml for comparison. Of the 288 cases, 93 were diagnosed with prostate cancer (CaP). The interval between the two PSA measurements was 1-90 days (average of 31.4 days). The first and second values were an average of 13.0 and 11.7 ng/ml, respectively, and the second value was significantly lower than the first value. When we divided them into CaP cases and non-CaPthe two cases, a significant difference between PSA values was found only in the non-CaP cases. Moreover, in the non-CaP cases with some clinical symptoms, the difference in PSA was marked between the first and second values, which averaged 11.2 and 9.2 ng/ml, respectively. When we decide to perform a biopsy, we should recognize that PSA sometimes is lower on re-measurement. Particularly in symptomatic cases, it is worth re-measuring PSA, which may save unnecessary biopsies.     

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.     

Evaluation of prostate specific antigen (PSA) adjusted to transition zone in prostatic cancer detection

ObjectiveTo investigate if PSA adjusted to transition zone (PSA-TZ) can be considered as a predictor parameter of cancer with better specificity or not than PSA, PSA density (PSAD) or PSA free/total ratio.Material and methodsData of 706 patients with sextant prostatic biopsies are analyzed in prospective way because of prostatic cancer suspicion. Range of PSA was between 4 to 20 ng/ml. Determination of PSA-TZ was calculated by dividing the PSA value by the volume of the transition zone of the prostate applying the ellipsoid formula and comparison of obtained results in detection of cancer was performed by ROC curves analysis for each one of PSA-related parameters.ResultsOf the total group of patients, in 199 cases (28.2%) prostatic cancer was detected. Analysis by ROC curves demonstrated than PSA-TZ and PSAD were better predictors of cancer than PSA free/total ratio and PSA (p<0.0001). The cutoff value of PSA-TZ of 0.18 ng/ml/cc was considered as the best, obtaining a 95% sensitivity and a 27% specificity. For this sensitivity, PSA, PSAD and PSA free/total ratio only obtained 5, 9 and 16% specificity respectively. Areas under curve (AUC) obtained for PSA, PSA free/total ratio, PSAD and PSA-TZ were 0.539, 0.612, 0.694 and 0.722 respectively.ConclusionsPSA-TZ in the studied population was a parameter with better diagnostic specificity than PSA, PSAD and PSA free/total ratio for the same 95% sensitivity. This would justify its utility in clinical paractice reducing the number of unnecesary biopsies.     

f/t PSA比值、PSA密度、PSA移行带密度在tPSA灰区前列腺偶发癌诊断中的意义

【摘要】 目的： 探讨血清f/t PSA比值、PSA密度、PSA移行带密度在tPSA位于灰区时前列腺癌诊断中的意义。方法： tPSA位于4～10ng/ml的前列腺增生患者112例,术前经前列腺穿刺活检均证实为前列腺增生,行TURP术后病理证实21例为前列腺偶发癌患者。回顾性分析该21例前列腺偶发癌患者和其余前列腺增生患者间的血清f/t PSA比值、PSA密度、PSA移行带密度,并进行统计学分析,以了解其在tPSA灰区前列腺偶发癌诊断中的意义。结果：前列腺偶发癌组和BPH组血清f/t PSA比值分别为0.13±0.03、0.21±0.04;PSAD分别为0.20±0.05 ng/ml2 、0.12±0.04 ng/ml2;PSATZ分别为0.38±0.06 ng/ml2 、 0.21±0.05 ng/ml2;两组在以上三个检测指标上差异具有显著性(P<0.05)。以0.15 ng/ml2为截断点则PSAD 灵敏性为76.115%,特异性为69.146%;以0.35 ng/ml2为截断点则PSATZ 灵敏性为60.642%,特异性为93.943%。结论：f/t PSA比值、PSAD、PSATZ对前列腺偶发癌的诊断具有重要价值,其中尤以PSATZ更具预测价值。     

Prostate-specific antigen levels and density in the internal and external glands of the prostate in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients with normal or gray-zone PSA levels

OBJECTIVE: In patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) showing normal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (normal PSA group) and those with BPH showing gray-zone PSA levels (gray-zone PSA group), we assessed PSA levels secreted from the internal and external glands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed transurethral enucleation of the prostate (TUE) in 102 BPH patients with normal PSA and 59 BPH patients with gray-zone PSA at our department from 1999 to 2001. Preoperatively and approximately 6 months postoperatively, we measured serum PSA levels and determined prostatic volumes via transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) to calculate PSA levels secreted from the internal and external glands as well as various PSA density (PSAD) values. RESULTS: The total PSA level was 1.8 and 6.1 ng/ml in the normal and gray-zone PSA groups, respectively. The PSA level of the external gland was 0.6 and 0.8 ng/ml and the PSAD of the external gland was 0.07 and 0.08 ng/ml/cm(3) in the normal and gray-zone PSA groups, respectively. The internal gland PSA was 1.3 and 5.4 ng/ml and the internal gland PSAD value was 0.11 and 0.30 ng/ml/cm(3) in the normal and gray-zone PSA groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that increased PSA levels in BPH cases with gray-zone PSA were attributable to increased PSA secreted from the internal gland rather than from the external gland. In our opinion, the determination of PSA and PSAD of the internal and external gland may be clinically significant in the future.