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PSA Level (psa + level)
Kinds of PSA Level Selected AbstractsHigh levels of serum prostate-specific antigen due to PSA producing follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphomaEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Jan Jelrik Oosterheert Abstract Objective:, Both carcinoma of the prostate and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are common in elderly patients. Measurement of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a frequently used tool to diagnose and monitor prostate carcinoma and is generally specific for diseases of the prostate. Case:, We describe a 68-yr-old patient with voiding difficulties and high PSA levels, but without inflammatory or malignant changes upon multiple transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies. Digital rectal examination was normal. Laboratory showed a strongly elevated PSA level (62 ,g/L, Immulight 2000®; DPC, USA). A CT-scan showed a retroperitoneal process with mass in the right pelvis and infiltration of the bladder wall, suggestive for metastatic prostate carcinoma. Surgical excision of an axillary lymph node set the diagnosis at a stage IV follicular lymphoma, Berard grade I to II in which the majority of neoplastic cells expressed PSA. After lymphoma-specific treatment, there was a positron emission tomography (PET) confirmed complete remission with normal PSA levels (6 ,g/L), which still persists. Conclusion:, Although rare, high PSA levels can be due to the presence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Such a diagnosis should be considered when patients present with lymphadenopathy other than regional prostatic lymphadenopathy. [source] Lower urinary tract symptoms and risk of prostate cancer in Japanese menINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 8 2006AKIO MATSUBARA Aim: Our aim was to investigate whether or not men with lower urinary tract symptoms are at increased risk of prostate cancer. Methods: A total of 3511 men aged 50,79 years who underwent mass screening for prostate cancer between 2002 and 2004 for the first time, and completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire at the time of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, were enrolled in the present study. All men with PSA values greater than 4.0 ng/mL were advised and encouraged to undergo transrectal systematic sextant biopsy. The number of cancers subsequently detected was compared between men with IPSS scores of 0,7 and 8,35. Results: Of the 3511 men, 219 (6.2%) had PSA values greater than 4 ng/mL, 178 (5.1%) underwent biopsy, and 51 (1.5%) were found to have prostate cancer. Although the PSA positivity rate for men with IPSS scores of 8,35 was significantly higher than that in the 0,7 group, there were no significant intergroup differences in the cancer detection rates for biopsied men and for total screened subjects. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that prostate volume was the dominant predictor for the detection of prostate cancer, followed by PSA level, but the IPSS made no significant contribution. No significant difference was noted in the IPSS scores between men with cancer and the others of the same age group. Conclusions: Symptomatic Japanese men are not at higher risk of prostate cancer despite their higher PSA values compared with asymptomatic men of the same age group. [source] Prostate-specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume as a second screening test: A prospective study of 248 casesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 7 2006SEOK-HO KANG 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. [source] Usefulness of PSA screening in outpatients with bladder cancer: Preliminary resultsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 5 2002Kohei Kurokawa Abstract Background: We performed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and evaluated its usefulness in outpatients with bladder cancer who may have an elevated risk for prostate cancer. Methods: Sixty-one new or followed-up outpatients with bladder cancer were examined between September 1999 and December 2000 in the Department of Urology, Gunma University Hospital, Japan. PSA was measured after informed consent was obtained, and patients in whom the PSA level was 4.1 ng/mL or higher were selected for thorough examination. In the examination, one examiner performed DRE (digital rectal examination) and, based on DRE and TRUS (transrectal ultrasonography) findings, determined whether prostate biopsy was indicated. Results: The average age of the 61 cases was 69.1 ± 8.6 years, and the average PSA level was 3.5 ± 5.8 ng/mL. The PSA level was 4.1 ng/mL or higher in 11 (18.0%) patients, nine of whom underwent six-sextant biopsy under TRUS guidance. Of these nine cases, four (6.6%) were diagnosed as having prostate cancer. The Gleason score was 7 in three cases and 9 in one case. The clinical stage was T2N0M0 in three cases and T3N0M0 in one case. Conclusions: On PSA screening in patients with bladder cancer and patients with a history of transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TUR-BT), prostate cancer was found in 6.6%. This rate is higher than in the general population. These cancers were classified into intermediate to high-risk groups, and the prognosis of prostate cancers could be more important than those of the bladder cancers in two cases (50%). We conclude that PSA screening for inpatients with bladder cancer may be useful. [source] Value of prostate specific antigen ,1 -antichymotrypsin complex for the detection of prostate cancer in patients with a PSA level of 4.1,10.0ng/mL: Comparison with PSA-related parametersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 11 2001Hideaki Miyake Abstract Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of prostate specific antigen ,1 -antichymotrypsin complex (PSA-ACT) in the differential diagnosis of prostate cancer in patients with a PSA level of 4.1,10.0 ng/mL compared to several PSA- and PSA-ACT-related parameters. Methods: Serum samples were obtained from 103 patients with no evidence of malignancy on biopsy and 29 with histologically confirmed prostate cancer. All patients had pretreatment serum PSA levels between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL. The different forms of serum PSA, including total PSA (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA) and PSA-ACT were measured using immunofluorometric techniques with different monoclonal antibodies against PSA and ACT. Furthermore, tPSA and PSA-ACT densities of the whole prostate (PSAD and ACTD, respectively) and the f-to-tPSA and the f-to-PSA-ACT ratios (F/T ratio and F/ACT ratio, respectively) were calculated. Results: The differences between patients with prostate cancer and benign prostatic disease were significant with respect to all six parameters examined in this study. Analysis of receiver operating characteristics revealed that the areas under the curve for PSA-ACT, ACTD and the F/ACT ratio were larger than those for tPSA, PSAD and the F/T ratio, respectively. However, there were no significant differences in discrimination between benign and malignant diseases among these six parameters. Conclusions: In patients who have an intermediate serum PSA level, PSA-ACT and its associated parameters may not be significantly superior in the differential diagnosis between prostate cancer and benign prostatic diseases compared to tPSA and its traditional relatives. [source] Diffusion-weighted MRI for monitoring tumor response to photodynamic therapyJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 2 2010Hesheng Wang MS Abstract Purpose: To examine diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) for assessing the early tumor response to photodynamic therapy (PDT). Materials and Methods: Subcutaneous tumor xenografts of human prostate cancer cells (CWR22) were initiated in athymic nude mice. A second-generation photosensitizer, Pc 4, was delivered to each animal by a tail vein injection 48 h before laser illumination. A dedicated high-field (9.4 Tesla) small animal MR scanner was used to acquire diffusion-weighted MR images pre-PDT and 24 h after the treatment. DW-MRI and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were analyzed for 24 treated and 5 control mice with photosensitizer only or laser light only. Tumor size, prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, and tumor histology were obtained at different time points to examine the treatment effect. Results: Treated mice showed significant tumor size shrinkage and decrease of PSA level within 7 days after the treatment. The average ADC of the 24 treated tumors increased 24 h after PDT (P < 0.001) comparing with pre-PDT. The average ADC was 0.511 ± 0.119 × 10,3 mm2/s pre-PDT and 0.754 ± 0.181 × 10,3 mm2/s 24 h after the PDT. There is no significant difference in ADC values pre-PDT and 24 h after PDT in the control tumors (P = 0.20). Conclusion: The change of tumor ADC values measured by DW-MRI may provide a noninvasive imaging marker for monitoring tumor response to Pc 4-PDT as early as 24 h. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:409,417. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of prostate voxels identified as suspicious of malignancy on three-dimensional 1H MR spectroscopic imaging in patients with abnormal digital rectal examination or raised prostate specific antigen level of 4,10 ng/mlNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 1 2007Virendra Kumar Abstract Results of the evaluation of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided needle biopsy of voxels identified as suspicious of malignancy on magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) in a large cohort of men (n,=,83) with abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) [prostate specific antigen (PSA) 0,4,ng/ml] or PSA less than 10,ng/ml, are reported. Three-dimensional 1H MRSI was carried out at 1.5 T using a pelvic-phased array coil in combination with an endorectal surface coil. Voxels were classified as suspicious of malignancy based on Cit/(Cho,+,Cr) metabolite ratio. TRUS-guided biopsy of suspicious voxels was performed using the z - and x -coordinates obtained from MR images and two to three cores were taken from the suspected site. A systematic sextant biopsy was also carried out. MRSI showed voxels suspicious of malignancy in 44 patients while biopsy revealed cancer in 11 patients (25%). Patients who were negative for malignancy on MRSI were also negative on biopsy. An overall sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 54%, negative predictive value of 100% and accuracy of 60% were obtained. The site of biopsy was confirmed (n,=,20) as a hypo-intense area on repeat MRI while repeat MRSI revealed high choline and low citrate. The overall success rate of MRI-directed TRUS-guided biopsy of 25% was higher compared with a 9% success rate achieved without MR guidance in another group of 120 patients. Our results indicate that TRUS-guided biopsy of suspicious area identified as malignant from MRSI can be performed using the coordinates of the voxel derived from MR images. This increases the detection rate of prostate cancer in men with PSA level <10,ng/ml or abnormal DRE and also demonstrates the potential of MR in routine clinical practice. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Latest news and product developmentsPRESCRIBER, Issue 19 2007Article first published online: 22 NOV 200 UK data suggest OCs may reduce cancer risk The latest analysis of the RCGP oral contraception (OC) study suggests that oral contraceptives may be associated with an overall reduction in the risk of cancer (Br Med J online: 11 September 2007; doi:10.1136/bmj.39289. 649410.55). The cohort of 46 000 women provided 744 000 woman-years for ever use of an oral contraceptive and 339 000 woman-years of never use. Longer use was associated with increasing risks of cervical (RR 2.73), and pituitary or CNS (RR 5.51) cancers, but decreasing risks of uterine (RR 0.57) and ovarian (RR 0.38) cancers. OC use was also associated with a lower overall risk of colorectal cancers. The overall risk of any cancer was reduced by 12 per cent (RR 0.88). CombAT two-year data Two-year data revealed at the 29th Congress of the Société Internationale d'Urologie in Paris in September show that dutasteride (Avodart) and tamsulosin combination therapy provides significantly improved symptom control in BPH compared with either therapy alone. The Combination therapy with Avodart (dutasteride) and tamsulosin (CombAT) study took over 4800 eligible men (age ,50 years with a prostate volume ,30cc, serum PSA level ,1.5-10ng per ml and IPSS ,12) who received placebo for four weeks before being randomised in a 1:1:1 ratio to either dutasteride monotherapy (0.5mg per day), tamsulosin monotherapy (0.4mg per day) or a combination of both drugs. At two years the primary efficacy end-point was achieved: combination therapy was significantly more effective than either monotherapy, and continuous improvement could be observed throughout the two years. The combination therapy was also well tolerated, although drug-related adverse events were more common with combination therapy (24 per cent) than either monotherapy (dutasteride 18 per cent, tamsulosin 14 per cent). Dutasteride, a 5-, reductase inhibitor, has been shown to be more effective for long-term use in men than tamsulosin, while tamsulosin, an alpha blocker, has been shown to be effective in the short term. CombAT is the first study to demonstrate that the combination therapy of both drugs could lead to greater symptom improvement over time than an alpha blocker alone. Aliskiren - new class of antihypertensive Novartis has introduced aliskiren (Rasilez), the first direct renin inhibitor for the treatment of hypertension. It is likely to be used in combination with other agents but is also licensed as monotherapy. The commonest adverse effect is diarrhoea. At the recommended dose of 150-300mg per day, a month's treatment costs £19.80-£23.80. MHRA updates drug safety advice The balance of benefit and risks from HRT may be more favourable for younger women, the MHRA says in its monthly bulletin, Drug Update (September 2007). GPs considering prescribing HRT should evaluate the potential risks and benefits for each individual, the MHRA says. The bulletin summarises the risks of cardiovascular events and cancers associated with HRT. Cardiovascular risk is a particular concern for women over 60, whose baseline risk is high; although evidence for the safety of HRT in younger women is limited, their baseline risk is lower. Overall, the lowest dose of HRT should be used for the shortest possible time, and HRT should be prescribed to prevent osteoporosis only when alternatives are not suitable. The MHRA also advises in the bulletin that: Individual risk of stroke, breast cancer and endometrial cancer should be considered before prescribing tibolone (Livial). Nasal formulations of desmopressin are no longer indicated for primary nocturnal enuresis; prescribers are reminded to adhere to product guidance on fluid intake. Patients and carers should be warned of the risk of psychiatric effects associated with corticosteroids; symptoms may develop within a few days or weeks in children and adults, and may be more common at higher doses. Patients taking steroids for more than three weeks are reminded not to stop treatment abruptly. A list of questions and answers for patients is available at www.mhra.gov.uk. The use of parenteral B vitamins plus ascorbic acid (Pabrinex) may rarely be associated with severe allergic reactions, but this should not preclude its use for patients who need it. Study claims statin switch may increase CV morbidity Switching patients from atorvastatin (Lipitor) to simvastatin may increase the risk of cardiovascular events, according to a UK study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Vienna. The analysis, from The Health Improvement Network database, included 11 520 patients taking atorvastatin for at least six months, of whom 2511 were switched to simvastatin. Switching was associated with a 30 per cent increase in the relative risk of cardiovascular events, though absolute figures have not been reported. Patients who were switched were also more likely to discontinue treatment (21 vs 8 per cent of those continuing atorvastatin). Details of the conduct of the study, which will be published in the British Journal of Cardiology, are not available. Glitazones controversy rumbles on New systematic reviews have fuelled the controversy over the cardiac safety of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. A meta-analysis of four trials involving 14 291 patients and lasting one to four years found that rosiglitazone was associated with a significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction (relative risk, RR, 1.42) and heart failure (RR 2.09) but not cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.90) (J Am Med Assoc 2007;298:1189-95). The second review included 19 trials of pioglitazone involving 16 390 patients, with follow-up from four months to 3.5 years. Pioglitazone was associated with a lower risk of composite events (death, myocardial infarction, stroke; hazard ratio, HR, 0.82) but an increased risk of serious heart failure (HR 1.41) (J Am Med Assoc 2007;298: 1180-8). Neither review reported significant heterogeneity between the included studies. Another systematic review of eight controlled and cohort studies concluded that metformin is the only antidiabetic drug not associated with an increased risk of harm in patients with diabetes and heart failure (Br Med J Online First 30 August; doi:10.1136/bmj.39314. 620174.80). The Canadian authors found methodological problems with all studies, and concluded that results for sulphonylureas were conflicting due to differences between the studies. Asthma prescribing education Health professionals need more education about rational prescribing for children with asthma, say researchers from Australia (Arch Dis Child online: 4 September 2007; doi: 10. 1136/adc.2007.119834). Analysing trends in asthma medication prescriptions for children in the UK between 2000 and 2006, they found the proportion of steroid inhalers prescribed as combinations increased from 2.7 per cent in 2000 to 25 per cent in 2006. The authors say this excessive increase is inconsistent with guidance that steroid-only inhalers should be the mainstay for most people with asthma. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd [source] Prostate cancer patients' support and psychological care needs: Survey from a non-surgical oncology clinicPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 8 2003Kathleen Lintz While there are numerous uncertainties surrounding prostate cancer's detection and treatment, more research focusing on the psychological needs of prostate patients is required. This study investigated the support and psychological care needs of men with prostate cancer. Patients were approached during urological oncology clinics and asked to complete the: Support Care Needs Survey (SCNS), Support Care Preferences Questionnaire, EORTC QLQ-C30 (Version 3) Measure plus Prostate Module, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Of the 249 patients meeting study entry criteria, there was an 89% response rate resulting in a cohort of 210 patients. The data showed that significant unmet need exists across a number of domains in the areas of psychological and health system/information. The more commonly reported needs were ,fears about cancer spreading (44%),' ,concerns about the worries of those close to you (43%),' and ,changes in sexual feelings (41%).' Half of all patients reported some need in the domain of sexuality, especially men younger than 65 years. Needs were being well met in the domain of patient care and support. A significant number of patients reported having used or desiring support services, such as information about their illness, brochures about services and benefits for patients with cancer (55%), a series of talks by staff members about aspects of prostate cancer (44%), and one-on-one counselling (48%). Quality of life (QoL) was most negatively impacted in those who: were ,65 years old, had been diagnosed within one year, or had metastatic disease. Men ,65 had decreased social functioning, greater pain, increased sleep disturbance, and were more likely to be uncomfortable about being sexually intimate. Patients recently diagnosed had increased fatigue, more frequent urination, greater disturbance of sleep, and were more likely to have hot flushes. Those with advanced disease scored lower on 12 out of 15 QoL categories. PSA level had no effect on QoL or anxiety/depression scores. Men with advanced disease had greater levels of depression and those ,65 years old were more likely to be anxious. Although most men with prostate cancer seem to function quite well, a substantial minority report areas of unmet need that may be targets for improving care. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Prostatic Specific Antigen in Patients with Hypogonadism: Effect of Testosterone ReplacementTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2005Ahmed I. El-Sakka MD ABSTRACT Introduction., The effect of parenteral testosterone replacement therapy on prostatic specific antigen (PSA) level or the development or growth of prostate cancer is unclear. Aim., To assess the effect of testosterone replacement on PSA level in patients with hypogonadism associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods., A total of 187 male patients above the age of 45 with hypogonadism associated with ED were enrolled in this study. Patients were screened for ED by the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Patients underwent routine laboratory investigations, plus total testosterone, and PSA assessment. Replacement treatment with parenteral testosterone every 2,4 weeks for 1 year was instituted. Total testosterone and PSA serum levels were assessed every 3 months during the treatment course. Results., Mean age ± SD was 62.8 ± 11.4. Of the patients 87.7% were sexually active. Of the patients 10.2% had mild, 40.6% had moderate and 49.2% had severe ED. Of the study population, 62.5% had ED complaints for less than 5 years and 84.5% had gradual onset of their complaint. The majority of the patients (91.4%) had either progressive or stationary course while the minority reported regressive course and improvement of the condition. There was a significant increase of the post-treatment testosterone level in comparison to pretreatment level (P < 0.05). No significant increase in the post-treatment PSA level in comparison to pretreatment (P > 0.05). No significant difference between pre- and post-treatment categories of PSA level (normal, borderline, high) in relation to the severity of ED (P > 0.05). There was no significant association between PSA level and the duration of testosterone replacement therapy in the study population (P > 0.05). Conclusion., The current study demonstrated that the level of PSA was not significantly changed after 1 year of testosterone replacement therapy in patients with hypogonadism associated with ED. [source] Tissue expression of IL16 in prostate cancer and its association with recurrence after radical prostatectomy,THE PROSTATE, Issue 15 2010Eva Compérat Abstract BACKGROUND Genetic polymorphism located within the IL16 gene has been reported to be associated with aggressive prostate cancer (PCa). Our aim was to establish whether the tissue expression of IL16 is a prognostic factor of survival in PCa. METHODS The files of patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) between 1995 and 2001 were reviewed. The cases were selected and classified according to the D'Amico classification for risk of recurrence (intermediate or high). The value of IL16 and its receptor CCR5 (chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 5) expression levels were determined as witness of aggressiveness patterns and markers of biological relapse in patients with PCa treated by RP. A tissue microarray of 304 cases was constructed. IL16 and CCR5 expression levels were characterized by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS IL16 expression was correlated with high Gleason score (i.e., >7) (P,<,0.01). It was not significant for CCR5. IL16 and CCR5 were not associated with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or capsular extension of the disease. The accurate prediction of disease outcome, using stratification of cases, according to negative margins and D'Amico classification was significantly enhanced by status of IL16 expression (P,,,0.01). In univariate analyses, Gleason score, PSA level, stage and loss of IL16 expression were related to better biological-free survival (P,<,0.05) but not CCR5. In a multivariate analysis, IL16 expression, Gleason score, and tumor stage were independent factors for biochemical-free survival (P,=,0.001). CONCLUSIONS IL16 appears to be a useful prognostic factor in PCa. Its expression in PCa tissue was correlated to tumor aggressiveness and biochemical relapse of the disease. Prostate 70: 1622,1627, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The impact of HMG-CoA reductase therapy on serum PSA,THE PROSTATE, Issue 6 2010David J. Mener Abstract BACKGROUND 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, otherwise known as statins, inhibit the enzyme that controls the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a precursor for cholesterol. Statins may be important to prostate cancer biology by inhibiting cell growth, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of statin therapy on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. METHODS The computerized medical records at the University of Rochester Medical Center were used to identify men who filled statin prescriptions between May 31st, 2008 and September 30th, 2008. Men with at least one PSA assay performed within 2 years before and at least one PSA assay performed within 1 year after starting a statin medication were included. The primary endpoint was the change in PSA concentration computed as the difference between PSA levels before and after starting a statin medication. Paired t -tests were used to analyze the mean differences in PSA values. RESULTS A total of 962 patients were identified. The mean difference in serum PSA level after statin administration was ,0.29,ng/ml (,8.04%). Subgroup analyses for mean PSA concentration change before and after statin administration by age group revealed: 50,59 years old (,0.1609, 95% CI: ,0.2444, ,0.0775, P,<,0.0002), 60,69 years old (,0.3393, 95% CI: ,0.4641, ,0.2145, P,<,0.0001), and >70 years old (,0.351, 95% CI: ,0.490, ,0.212, P,<,0.0001). CONCLUSIONS These observations suggest a statistically significant reduction in serum PSA level that is associated with the onset of statin therapy. Prostate 70: 608,615, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] PSA surge/flare-up in patients with castration-refractory prostate cancer during the initial phase of chemotherapyTHE PROSTATE, Issue 16 2009T. Nelius Abstract BACKGROUND Docetaxel-based chemotherapy has shown great promise for the treatment of CRPC and is considered the current standard of care. PSA is mainly used as marker to monitor the treatment response. Several articles were published reporting an initial PSA surge/flare-up after starting chemotherapy. The cause and the impact of this phenomenon are discussed controversially. The intention of this review is to define the significance of initial PSA surge/flare-up and to increase awareness to this phenomenon in the urological community. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive literature search was performed in different data bases using various key words. Relevant articles and references between 1999 and 2009 were reviewed and analyzed for data on the association between chemotherapy and initial PSA surge/flare. RESULTS The incidence of a PSA surge/flare-up ranges according to the reported studies between 7.6% and 13.6%. A PSA surge/flare-up was reported up to 404% from baseline PSA level followed by PSA response. The median duration of a PSA surge/flare-up is 2,3 weeks and can last up to 6,8 weeks. However, the occurrence of a PSA surge/flare-up did not impact outcome and survival negatively compared to patients with an immediate PSA response. CONCLUSIONS A considerable portion of CRPC patients experience an initial PSA surge/flare-up under systemic chemotherapy. The definitions used for PSA surge/flare-up differ slightly in the literature. This issue needs to be solved since it might impact defining treatment response. As a PSA surge/flare-up did not impact outcome and survival negatively, chemotherapy should be continued according to the literature addressing specifically the phenomenon of a PSA surge/flare-up for a minimum of 8 weeks or 3 rounds of a 3-weekly cycle chemotherapy regimen before further decisions are made about efficacy. However, Scher et al. recommended a 12-week period drug exposure based on their results on PSA progression-free survival and overall survival. This dilemma needs to be addressed in further data analysis in order to establish a general rule regarding when to stop chemotherapy. Physicians should be aware of this effect to avoid inadequate early discontinuation of chemotherapy. The underlying mechanisms of a PSA surge/flare-up are still elusive and need further clarification. Prostate 69: 1802,1807, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Obesity and screening PSA levels among men undergoing an annual physical examTHE PROSTATE, Issue 4 2008Andrew Rundle Abstract BACKGROUND Prior reports suggest that obesity is inversely associated with screening prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and may reduce screening sensitivity. METHODS We evaluated data on 10,623 men screened for prostate cancer during an annual physical examination program administered by EHE International, Inc., between 1/1/2004 and 6/30/2006. Of these, 3,623 men returned for additional physical exams during this period. We used multivariate linear regression analyses to determine whether higher BMI was inversely associated with PSA, and whether BMI, or change in BMI, was associated with change in PSA levels over time. We also developed a theoretical model for the effect of obesity on PSA levels in which increased plasma volume in the obese dilutes PSA levels. RESULTS After control for age and race/ethnicity, higher BMI was associated with lower PSA levels; men with a BMI ,40 had a geometric mean PSA level 0.14 ng/ml lower than men with a BMI <25 (P,<,0.001). Prospectively, BMI at initial screening and change in BMI over 2 years were not associated with change in PSA or PSA velocity. Our theoretical model accurately predicted observed PSA levels and suggests that a screening PSA of 4.0 ng/ml in normal weight and overweight men corresponds to 3.5 ng/ml in obese men and 3.1 ng/ml in morbidly obese men. CONCLUSION Across the study population, increased BMI was significantly inversely associated with lower PSA. Based on a theoretical model in which increased plasma volume in the obese dilutes PSA levels we propose new cut-points for a positive screening test. Prostate 68: 373,380, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prostate-specific antigen levels in relation to cadmium exposure and zinc intake: results from the 2001,2002 national health and nutrition examination surveyTHE PROSTATE, Issue 2 2008Edwin van Wijngaarden Abstract BACKGROUND Cadmium exposure has been suggested as a risk factor for prostate cancer, and experimental literature suggests that the carcinogenic effect of cadmium is modified by the presence of zinc. We evaluated total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in relation to urinary cadmium concentrations and dietary zinc intake. METHODS PSA levels were determined in 1,320 men over the age of 40 in the 2001,2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Urinary cadmium concentrations were measured in about one-third of the sample population, whereas dietary zinc intake was based on participants' 24-hr recall. Information on all three variables was available for 422 men in the 2001,2002 NHANES survey. We performed linear regressions to evaluate the relationships these factors after accounting for age and other covariates. RESULTS Little evidence for an association between cadmium and elevated PSA level was observed. However, the data provide suggestive evidence for an interaction between zinc intake and cadmium exposure (P for interaction,=,0.09). Among men with zinc intake less than the median level of 12.67 mg/day, an increase in 1 µg/g creatinine cadmium exposure was associated with a 35% increase in PSA level. In contrast, among men with greater than median zinc intake, little evidence for an association between cadmium and PSA was found. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a protective effect of zinc intake on cadmium-induced prostatic injury, and may provide further rationale for investigating the impact of these factors individually and jointly on the etiology of prostate cancer. Prostate 68: 122,128, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Metastasis suppressor gene Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) is a novel prognostic marker in prostate cancerTHE PROSTATE, Issue 3 2006Zheng Fu Abstract BACKGROUND Diminished expression of Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP), an inhibitor of the Raf signaling cascade, promotes prostate cancer (PCa) metastasis in a murine model, suggesting that it is a metastasis suppressor gene. However, the prognostic significance of RKIP expression and its association with metastasis in PCa patients is unknown. METHODS To investigate RKIP protein expression is a prognostic marker in PCa we performed immunohistochemical staining for RKIP expression in tissue microarrays consisting of 758 non-neoplastic prostate tissues, primary tumors and metastases from 134 PCa patients. The Cox proportional-hazards model was used to adjust for covariates including Gleason score, tumor volume, tumor weight, clinical stage, digital rectal exam findings, serum PSA level and surgical margins. RESULTS RKIP expression was low in approximately 5%, 48%, and 89%of non-neoplastic prostate, primary tumors and metastases, respectively. Low RKIP expression in primary tumors was a strong positive predictive factor for PCa recurrence based on PSA levels. In patients whose primary tumors expressed high RKIP levels, the 7-year PSA recurrence rate was <,10%; whereas in patients with tumors with low RKIP expression the recurrence rate was 50% (P,<,0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed RKIP was an independent prognostic factor (P,<,0.001). CONCLUSION In contrast to increased expression of pro-tumorigenic genes, these results demonstrate decreased protein expression of a gene, for example, RKIP, can serve as a prognostic marker in PCa patients. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Clinical and socio-demographic profile of an Australian multi-institutional prostate cancer cohortASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Kerri BECKMANN Abstract Aims: To describe the clinical and socio-demographic data from a South Australian prostate cancer cohort (PCCOD). Methods: Clinical data for 2329 prostate cancer patients treated at three South Australian teaching hospitals between 1998 and 2007 were analyzed by place of residence, time of diagnosis and socioeconomic status (SES). ,2 tests were used to investigate differences in stage, grade and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at diagnosis, among subgroups and over time. Logistic regression was used to examine predictors of treatment modalities. Five-year survival was assessed using Kaplan,Meier methods. Results: The distributions of age, SES and place of residence of PCCOD patients closely reflected those of the state-based prostate cancer population, with rural patients slightly underrepresented. Lower SES or rural residence was not associated with higher stage, grade, PSA level or disease-specific survival. Treatment modalities varied with SES (for radical prostatectomy), rural residence (radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy and androgen ablation), age and clinical characteristics. There was a trend over time towards a younger age at diagnosis and more favorable clinical profiles, consistent with earlier diagnosis. However, the current risk profile for this cohort is similar to that reported approximately a decade earlier in a US series. Conclusion: PCCOD patients have a broadly similar socio-demographic profile to prostate cancer patients statewide. Socioeconomic status is not associated with clinical characteristics at diagnosis, but does predict treatment type. The clinical characteristics of the cohort are consistent with a much later stage presentation than reported in current US case series. [source] A 10-year follow-up after transurethral resection of the prostate, contact laser prostatectomy and electrovaporization in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia; long-term results of a randomized controlled trialBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2010Robert J. Hoekstra Study Type , Therapy (RCT) Level of Evidence 1b OBJECTIVE To compare long-term results of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), contact laser prostatectomy (CLP) and electrovaporization of the prostate (EVAP) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 1996 and 2001, a prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in 150 men with LUTS suggestive of BPH, who had a prostate volume of 20,65 mL and a Schäfer's obstruction grade of ,2. Outcome variables were the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life (QoL) question, Symptom Problem Index (SPI), BPH Impact Index (BII), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), prostate volume, prostate specific antigen (PSA) level, morbidity and mortality. In 2008 we carried out a long-term follow-up in these patients. Long-term values were compared with preoperative values for each treatment group (Wilcoxon signed-rank test), differences among groups were analysed (Kruskal,Wallis test) and actuarial failure-rates of the interventions were determined (Kaplan-Meier analysis). RESULTS Although we could account for 91% of the initial participants in 2008, 66 (44%) patients (29 TURP, 20 CLP and 17 EVAP) were available for follow-up measurements after a mean (range) of 10.1(6.9,12.7) years Among the three treatment groups, there were no significant differences in IPSS, QoL, SPI, BII, Qmax, PSA level and prostate volume. The IPSS, QoL, SPI and BII were still improved (P < 0.05) from values before treatment for all treatments. Only in the TURP group were the long-term results of Qmax still improved (P < 0.05). The mortality rate was comparable among the treatments. The 10-year actuarial failure rates (95% confidence interval) were 0.11 (0.03,0.20), 0.22 (0.10,0.35) and 0.23 (0.11,0.35) for TURP, CLP and EVAP, respectively. CONCLUSIONS After a mean follow-up of 10.1 years, there were similar and durable improvements in IPSS, QoL, SPI and BII for patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH after TURP, CLP and EVAP. Between the treatment groups there were no statistically significant differences in Qmax, PSA levels and prostate volume at any time during the follow-up. However, only patients treated with TURP showed minimal durable improvements in Qmax. There was no statistically significant difference in success rate and mortality rate among the three treatments. [source] A pretreatment nomogram predicting biochemical failure after salvage cryotherapy for locally recurrent prostate cancerBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2010Philippe E. Spiess Study Type , Prognosis (retrospective cohort) Level of Evidence 2b OBJECTIVE To gather a pooled database from six tertiary-care referral centres using salvage cryotherapy (SC) for locally recurrent prostate cancer, and develop a pretreatment nomogram allowing a prediction of the probability of biochemical failure after SC, based on pretreatment clinical variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively analysed 797 men treated at six tertiary-care referral centres with SC for locally recurrent disease after primary radiotherapy with curative intent. The median duration of follow-up from the time of SC to the date of last contact was 3.4 years. The primary study endpoint was biochemical failure, defined as a serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level after SC of >0.5 ng/mL. RESULTS Overall, the rate of biochemical failure was 66% with a median of 3.4 years of follow-up. A logistic regression model was used to predict biochemical failure. Covariates included serum PSA level at diagnosis, initial clinical T stage, and initial biopsy Gleason score. On the basis of these results, a pretreatment nomogram was developed which can be used to help select patients best suited for SC. Our pretreatment nomogram was internally validated using 500 bootstrap samples, with the concordance index of the model being 0.70. CONCLUSION A pretreatment nomogram based on several diagnostic variables (serum PSA level at diagnosis, biopsy Gleason grade, and initial clinical T stage) was developed and might allow the selection of ideal candidates for SC. [source] Long-term data on the survival of patients with prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy in the prostate-specific antigen eraBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2010Hendrik Isbarn Study Type , Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To examine the long-term rates of biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival, cancer-specific mortality (CSM)-free survival, and overall survival (OS) in patients with prostate cancer treated with open radical prostatectomy (RP) in the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) era. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study comprised 436 patients who were treated with RP between 1992 and 1997 at our institution. None received adjuvant/salvage therapy in the absence of BCR. The BCR-free, CSM-free and OS rates were defined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable Cox-regression models were used to test the effect of age, preoperative PSA level, neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, pT stage, lymph node status, RP Gleason sum and surgical margin status on BCR. RESULTS The median follow-up of censored patients was 122, 128, and 132 months for, respectively, BCR-free, CSM-free and OS estimates. The 10-year event-free survival rates for the same endpoints were 60%, 94% and 86%, respectively. Preoperative PSA level, RP Gleason sum, pT stage, lymph node status, and surgical margin status were independent predictors of BCR (all adjusted P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to evaluate the long-term cancer control outcomes after RP from a European country in the PSA era. Our data indicate that RP provides excellent long-term survival rates in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. Although ,40% of patients have BCR after 10 years of follow-up, the CSM rate after 10 years is as low as 6%. [source] Impact of a novel, extended approach of perineal radical prostatectomy on surgical margins in localized prostate cancerBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2010Shogo Inoue Study Type , Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To validate the rationale of extended perineal radical prostatectomy (ePRP) for treating localized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between December 2000 and May 2007, 196 patients with localized prostate cancer underwent PRP, among which 91 and 105 patients were treated with conventional PRP (cPRP) and ePRP, respectively. The apex, middle, base, and anterior regions of the prostate were separately analysed, and the focus of analysis was on the distribution, size, Gleason score, and positive surgical margins (PSMs) of prostate cancer foci. RESULTS The operation time was significantly shorter in ePRP compared with cPRP (161 min vs 188 min; P= 0.001), while there was no significant difference in estimated blood loss between cPRP and ePRP (550 mL vs 500 mL). At the apex and base, there was no significant difference in the PSM rate between cPRP and ePRP. In the middle, there was a lower incidence of PSMs in ePRP (2.4%) than in cPRP (10.9%; P= 0.009). On the anterior side, PSMs were more frequent in cPRP (21.6%) than in ePRP (7.1%; P= 0.029). Logistic regression analysis adjusted by PSA level showed that PSM rate was the most significantly affected by the surgical approach. CONCLUSION We think that ePRP provides an effective treatment strategy for localized prostate cancer in light of excellent cancer control and minimum potential of surgical invasiveness. [source] The ,CaP Calculator': an online decision support tool for clinically localized prostate cancerBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 10 2010Matthew S. Katz Study Type , Prognosis (risk model) Level of Evidence 2a OBJECTIVE To design a decision-support tool to facilitate evidence-based treatment decisions in clinically localized prostate cancer, as individualized risk assessment and shared decision-making can decrease distress and decisional regret in patients with prostate cancer, but current individual models vary or only predict one outcome of interest. METHODS We searched Medline for previous reports and identified peer-reviewed articles providing pretreatment predictive models that estimated pathological stage and treatment outcomes in men with biopsy-confirmed, clinical T1-3 prostate cancer. Each model was entered into a spreadsheet to provide calculated estimates of extracapsular extension (ECE), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), and lymph node involvement (LNI). Estimates of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) outcome after radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiotherapy (RT), and clinical outcomes after RT, were also entered. The data are available at http://www.capcalculator.org. RESULTS Entering a patient's 2002 clinical T stage, Gleason score and pretreatment PSA level, and details from core biopsy findings, into the CaP Calculator provides estimates from predictive models of pathological extent of disease, four models for ECE, four for SVI and eight for LNI. The 5-year estimates of PSA relapse-free survival after RT and 10-year estimates after RP were available. A printout can be generated with individualized results for clinicians to review with each patient. CONCLUSIONS The CaP Calculator is a free, online ,clearing house' of several predictive models for prostate cancer, available in an accessible, user-friendly format. With further development and testing with patients, the CaP Calculator might be a useful decision-support tool to help doctors promote evidence-based shared decision-making in prostate cancer. [source] The adjunctive use of power Doppler imaging in the preoperative assessment of prostate cancerBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2010Michael L. Eisenberg Study Type , Diagnostic (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2b OBJECTIVE To determine if the adjunctive use of power Doppler imaging (PDI) could provide prognostic utility in the treatment of prostate cancer, as an accurate prediction of the clinical behaviour of prostate cancer is important to determine appropriate treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS Most centres rely on a digital rectal examination or transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) to assess the clinical stage of patients. In 2002, we began using a standardized form to evaluate TRUS findings and PDI findings. We compared preoperative clinical findings with those from pathological analysis of 620 radical prostatectomy specimens from 2002 to 2007. RESULTS The mean (sd) patient age was 58 (6.6) years with a mean prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 7.0 (4.5) ng/mL. Of the 620 specimens 157 (25.3%) had evidence of extracapsular extension on pathological evaluation; 443 (71.5%) men had a hypervascular lesion seen on TRUS, while 177 (28.5%) patients had none. There was no difference in preoperative PSA level, grade or stage of tumour. Furthermore, rates of biochemical recurrence or secondary treatment did not differ based on PDI findings. As a tool to help locate prostate tumours, PDI improved the specificity of TRUS but did not improve the overall accuracy or sensitivity. CONCLUSION PDI provides little prognostic utility to assess risk in prostate cancer. However, PDI might improve the specificity of TRUS in identifying prostate tumours and could have a role in image guidance for focal therapy of prostate cancer. [source] Detection rate and factors predictive the presence of prostate cancer in patients undergoing ultrasonography-guided transperineal saturation biopsies of the prostateBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2010Giacomo Novara Study Type , Diagnostic (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVES To assess the prostate cancer detection rate and predictive factors for prostate cancer after transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided transperineal saturation re-biopsies of the prostate, using a 24-core scheme. PATIENTS AND METHODS We evaluated 143 consecutive patients undergoing TRUS-guided transperineal saturation re-biopsy of the prostate using a 24-core scheme. The inclusion criteria were a previous negative biopsy and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of ,10.0 ng/mL, or of 4.0,10.0 ng/mL with a free/total ratio of <20% or an abnormal digital rectal examination or previous high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) or atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP). RESULTS The mean (sd) age of the patients was 66.5 (6.1) years and the median (interquartile range) PSA level was 9.0 (6.1,12.8) ng/mL. The number of previous biopsies was one in 59% of patients, two in 26% and three or more in 15%. We detected prostate cancer in 26%, ASAP in 5.6% and HGPIN in 2.1%. The cancer detection rate was 47%, 25.5% and 14% for prostate volumes of <40, 40,60 and ,60 mL, respectively (P = 0.002). On a multivariate analysis the total prostate volume (40,60 vs <40 mL, hazard ratio 5.683; >60 vs <40 mL, hazard ratio 6.965; P = 0.01) was the only significant predictor of prostate cancer at saturation biopsy. CONCLUSIONS TRUS-guided transperineal saturation re-biopsy of the prostate using a 24-core scheme resulted in a high cancer detection rate also in patients who had had two or more previous biopsies. The total prostate volume was the only predictor of prostate cancer. [source] Stage migration in localized prostate cancer has no effect on the post-radical prostatectomy Kattan nomogramBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2010Ruban Thanigasalam Study Type , Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing on stage migration in an Australian population, and its consequences on the prognostic accuracy of the post-radical prostatectomy (RP) Kattan nomogram, as in North America widespread PSA testing has resulted in prostate cancer stage migration, questioning the utility of prognostic nomograms in this setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study comprised 1008 men who had consecutive RP for localized prostate cancer between 1991 and 2001 at one institution. Two groups were assessed, i.e. those treated in 1991,96 (group 1, the early PSA era), and 1997,2001 (group 2, the contemporary PSA era). Differences in clinicopathological features between the groups were analysed by chi-squared testing and survival modelling. Individual patient data were entered into the post-RP Kattan nomogram and the efficacy assessed by receiver- operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS Patients in group 2 had lower pathological stage disease (P = 0.01) and fewer cancers with Gleason score ,8 (P < 0.001) than group 1. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative serum PSA level (P < 0.01) and Gleason score (P < 0.01) as strong predictors of biochemical relapse in both groups. In group 2 pathological stage was not significant, but margin involvement became highly significant (P = 0.004). There was no difference in the predictive accuracy of the Kattan nomogram between the groups (P = 0.253). CONCLUSIONS These findings show a downward stage migration towards organ-confined disease after the introduction of widespread PSA testing in an Australian cohort. Despite this, the Kattan nomogram remains a robust prognostic tool in clinical practice. [source] The independent value of tumour volume in a contemporary cohort of men treated with radical prostatectomy for clinically localized diseaseBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2010Sima P. Porten Study Type , Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To determine if prostate tumour volume is an independent prognostic factor in a contemporary cohort of men who had a radical prostatectomy (RP) for clinically localized disease, as the effect of tumour volume on prostate cancer outcomes has not been consistently shown in the era of widespread screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 856 men who had RP from 1998 to 2007 for localized prostate cancer. Tumour volume based on pathology was analysed as a continuous and categorized (<0.26, 0.26,0.50, 0.51,1.00, 1.01,2.00, 2.01,4.00, >4.00 mL) variable using Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. A multivariable analysis was also conducted controlling for PSA level, Gleason grade, surgical margins, and pathological stage. RESULTS Tumour volume had a positive association with grade and stage, but did not correlate with biochemical recurrence-free survival on univariate analysis as a continuous variable (hazard ratio 1.00, P = 0.09), and was only statistically significant for volumes of >4 mL as a categorical variable. No tumour volume was an independent predictor of prostate cancer recurrence on multivariate analysis. There was no difference between tumour volume and time to cancer recurrence for organ-confined tumours using Kaplan-Meier analysis. In low-risk patients (PSA level <10 ng/mL, Gleason score ,6, clinical stage T1c/T2a) tumour volume did not correlate with biochemical recurrence-free survival in univariate or multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence that tumour volume is an independent predictor of prostate cancer outcome and it should not be considered as a marker of tumour risk, behaviour or prognosis. [source] Ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate diagnosed on transurethral biopsy or resection is not always indicative of aggressive disease: implications for clinical managementBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2010Hakan Aydin Study Type , Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4 OBJECTIVE To report the clinicopathological characteristics of 23 cases of ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate (DCP) and discuss the implications for clinical management, as DCP is considered an aggressive subtype of prostate adenocarcinoma (PA). PATIENTS AND METHODS The presence of DCP in transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSB) is associated with adverse pathological findings at radical prostatectomy (RP) and clinical outcomes, and the significance of detecting DCP initially in transurethral biopsy (UB) or transurethral resection (TURP) in the present era of screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is unclear. The study included 23 cases of pure DCP without acinar PA diagnosed on UB or TURP. Demographic information, serum PSA level, follow-up surgical procedures (RP, TURP or TRUSB) and outcome data were collected. RESULTS The mean age of the men was 67.5 years and the mean PSA level before the procedure was 12.5 ng/mL; 14 cases were detected on UB and nine were diagnosed on TURP. The mean (range) follow-up was 4 (1,23) months after the initial procedure. In all, 21 (89%) patients had DCP or PA in follow-up procedures. Two (11%) patients had no residual cancer, one on RP and the other on two repeat TURPs. DCP or PA was found in 12 RP cases; four patients had Gleason score 7 PA, three of which were organ-confined, and eight had Gleason score ,8 PA. Extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion and regional lymph node metastasis were present in seven, six and two cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Most DCP diagnosed on UB or TURP in this contemporary series was associated with aggressive PA, but a subset presented as a small periurethral tumour with no concomitant acinar PA, and was eradicated by the initial biopsy/TURP alone. We recommend that patients with a diagnosis of DCP on UB or TURP undergo follow-up TURP and TRUSB before radical surgery is offered. [source] Evaluation of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial Risk calculator in a high-risk screening populationBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2010David J. Kaplan Study Type , Diagnostic (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2b OBJECTIVE To evaluate the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) risk calculator in a screening cohort of young, racially diverse, high-risk men with a low baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and enrolled in the Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program (PRAP). The PCPT calculator provides an assessment of prostate cancer risk based on age, PSA level, race, previous biopsy, and family history. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligibility for PRAP includes men aged 35,69 years who are African-American, have a family history of prostate cancer, or have a known BRCA1/2 mutation. PCPT risk scores were determined for PRAP participants, and were compared to observed prostate cancer rates. RESULTS In all, 624 participants were evaluated, including 382 (61.2%) African-American men and 242 (38.7%) men with a family history of prostate cancer; the median (range) age was 49.0 (34.0,69.0) years and the median PSA level 0.9 (0.1,27.2) ng/mL. The PCPT risk score correlated with prostate cancer diagnosis, as the median baseline risk score in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer was 31.3%, vs 14.2% in patients not diagnosed with prostate cancer (P < 0.001). The PCPT calculator similarly stratified the risk of diagnosis of Gleason score ,7 disease, as the median risk score was 36.2% in patients diagnosed with Gleason ,7 prostate cancer vs 15.2% in all other participants (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The PCPT risk calculator score was found to stratify prostate cancer risk in a cohort of young, primarily African-American men with a low baseline PSA level. These results support further evaluation of this predictive tool for assessing the risk of prostate cancer in high-risk men. [source] Validation of a nomogram to predict disease progression following salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy: results from the SEARCH databaseBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 10 2009Daniel M. Moreira OBJECTIVE To externally validate the nomogram published by Stephenson et al. (termed the ,Stephenson nomogram') to predict disease progression after salvage radiotherapy (SRT) among patients with prostate cancer from the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) database. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analysed data from 102 men treated with SRT for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure after prostatectomy, of whom 30 (29%) developed disease progression after SRT during a median follow-up of 50 months. The predicted 6-year progression-free survival (PFS) was compared to the actuarial PFS using calibration plots. The accuracy of the nomogram to risk-stratify men for progression was assessed by the concordance index. RESULTS The median PSA and PSA doubling time before SRT was 0.6 ng/mL and 10.3 months, respectively. The 6-year actuarial disease-free progression after SRT was 57% (95% confidence interval 42,69%). The overall concordance index of the Stephenson nomogram was 0.65. The nomogram predicted failure more accurately at the extremes of risk (lowest and highest) but in intermediate groups, the accuracy was less precise. Of the 11 variables used in the nomogram, only negative margins and high PSA level before SRT were significantly associated with increased disease progression. CONCLUSION The Stephenson nomogram is an important tool to predict disease progression after SRT following radical prostatectomy. It adequately predicted progression in SEARCH with reasonable accuracy. Also, in SEARCH, disease progression was predicted by similar disease characteristics. However, the overall modest performance of the model in our validation cohort indicates there is still room for improvement in predictive models for disease progression after SRT. [source] Impact of ethnicity on surgical margins at radical prostatectomyBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 7 2009Farhang Rabbani OBJECTIVE To determine if the rate of positive surgical margins (PSMs), and in particular apical PSMs, at radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer, is higher in African-American (AA) than Caucasian men, given their often narrower and deeper pelvis. PATIENTS AND METHODS From 1999 to 2007, 3145 consecutive patients underwent RP, either open retropubic (RRP) or laparoscopic (LRP), with no previous treatment, by one of five surgeons. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the effect of ethnicity (AA vs Caucasian) on overall and site-specific PSMs, adjusting for age, body mass index, RP approach (RRP vs LRP), surgeon, surgeon case number, year of surgery, preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen level, specimen weight, estimated blood loss, pathological organ-confined status, and pathological Gleason score. RESULTS In all, 205 men were AA and 2940 Caucasian; PSMs were identified in 376 (12.0%) men, 35 (17.1%) in AA and 341 (11.6%) in Caucasian men. PSMs were identified at the apex in 148 (4.7%), the bladder neck in 29 (0.9%), posteriorly in 169 (5.4%), and anteriorly in 78 (2.5%) men. For apical PSM, ethnicity was a significant predictor, with an odds ratio of 1.76 (95% confidence interval 1.01,3.04, P = 0.045) for AA vs Caucasian, independent of pathological organ-confined status and PSA level. Ethnicity was not a significant independent predictor of overall PSMs or PSMs at other sites (bladder neck, posteriorly, or anteriorly). CONCLUSIONS The rate of apical PSMs, but not overall PSMs, at RP was higher in AA than Caucasian men, controlling for other covariates. Further investigation is necessary to determine if pelvic shape is responsible for this observation. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||