Prostate Cancer Test Valuable in Predicting Biopsy Need

The prostate-specific antigen test, commonly known as the PSA test, is valuable in predicting which men should have biopsies.

The PSA test is particularly important in men as a predictor of the need for surgical intervention and prognosis of low-risk cancer or likely to be diagnosed with a low-risk of neoplasm.

A PSA test is a common way for physicians to determine a patient's potential risk of developing prostate cancer. The test measures the amount of PSA, a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland, in the patient's blood. Since 1990, the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, USA) have prospectively studied more than 600 men between the ages of 40 and 79 for prostate outcomes.

Elevated PSA levels may result from a number of factors, including benign prostate enlargement or inflammation of the urinary tract, which is why additional tests are used in conjunction with the PSA test. For example, if the patient's physician suspects cancer, a biopsy of prostate cells likely will be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. The Mayo Clinic study found that men in their forties with a baseline PSA at or above the median PSA were much more likely to undergo a biopsy and to be diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer; a similar trend was found for men in their fifties. However, the majority of tumors found in both age groups were classified as "low risk."

However, the PSA test is not without controversy. R. Jeffrey Karnes, MD, a Mayo Clinic urologist said "The decision to use the PSA test is best made by the patient, in consultation with his doctor. As we continue to refine our approach to diagnosing and treating prostate cancer, we believe the findings of this study will help clinicians and their patients make informed decisions.” The findings were presented at a meeting of the North Central Section of the American Urological Association held October 18 - 22 at Rancho Mirage (CA, USA).

Related Links:
Mayo Clinic
North Central Section of the American Urological Association