PSA Tests (psa + test)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Effect of the correction for noncompliance and contamination on the estimated reduction of metastatic prostate cancer within a randomized screening trial (ERSPC section Rotterdam)

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 11 2010
Melissa Kerkhof
Abstract The European Randomized study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) has recently reported a 20% reduction in death from prostate cancer in a population-based prostate cancer screening (core age group: 55,69 years of age). The effect of screening may be diluted by noncompliance in the screening arm and contamination by PSA testing in the control arm. The purpose is to analyze the effect of prostate cancer screening on the incidence of metastatic prostate cancer, both with and without adjustment for noncompliance and contamination. We analyzed the occurrence of metastases in 42,376 men aged 55,75 years who were randomized in the Rotterdam section of the ERSPC between 1993 and 1999. Contamination adjustment was based on follow-up findings and questionnaire data from all men in the control group who developed prostate cancer and from a random sample of 291 men without cancer who had a PSA test. Prostate cancer screening significantly reduced the occurrence of metastatic prostate cancer in the intention-to-screen analysis [RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59,0.95, p = 0.02] and more so in adjusted analyses; contamination adjusted RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56,0.96; noncompliance adjusted RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.55,0.95 and fully adjusted analysis RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49,0.94, p = 0.02. In the population of ERSPC Rotterdam (N = 42,376 men), screening reduces the risk to be diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer considerably on population level, an effect which is even more pronounced in men who are in fact screened. [source]


Measuring the psychosocial impact of population-based prostate-specific antigen testing for prostate cancer in the UK

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2006
Lucy A. Brindle
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the psychosocial impact of participation in a population-based prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing programme, akin to screening, and to explore the relationship between urinary symptoms reported before PSA testing and the response to the subsequent PSA result. PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective questionnaire study was nested within the case-finding component of the ProtecT (prostate testing for cancer and treatment) feasibility study (ISRCTN20141297). Men aged 50,69 years from 18 general practices in three cities in the UK completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Short Form-12 (SF-12) Health Survey, and the International Continence Society ,male' (ICSmale) questionnaires before giving consent for a PSA test in a community clinic (baseline). Men with an ,abnormal' PSA result returned for further investigation (including biopsy) and repeated these questionnaires before biopsy. RESULTS At baseline, study participants had similar levels of anxiety and depression to the general male population. There was no increase in the HADS scores, or reduction in the SF-12 mental health component summary score, on attendance at the biopsy clinic after receiving an ,abnormal' PSA result. Urinary symptoms were associated with levels of anxiety and depression before receiving a PSA result (baseline), but were not associated with anxiety and depression at biopsy independently of baseline scores. Therefore changes in anxiety or depression at biopsy did not appear to differ between those with and without urinary symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the findings of other studies that the deleterious effects of receiving an abnormal PSA result during population screening are not identified by generic health-status questionnaires. Comparisons with outcomes of studies measuring cancer-specific distress and using qualitative research methods raise the question of whether a prostate cancer screening-specific instrument is required. However, a standardized measure of anxiety identified differences at baseline between those who did and did not report urinary symptoms. These findings suggest that it might be advisable to better inform men undergoing PSA testing about the uncertain relationship between urinary symptoms and prostate cancer, to minimize baseline levels of psychological distress. [source]


Diagnostic value of serum prostate-specific antigen in hemodialysis patients

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 5 2003
MASAHIRO SUMURA
Abstract Background: The value of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening was examined to detect prostate cancer in men receiving hemodialysis. Methods: Forty-one male patients age 60,95 (median age, 70 years) receiving hemodialysis were investigated for PSA levels. We set the cut-off point at 4 ng/mL (the usual reference range). Digital rectal examination (DRE) and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) of the prostate were performed in patients whose PSA was more than 4 ng/mL and/or who expected further examination of the prostate. When prostate cancer was suspected, biopsy of the prostate was performed. In patients with prostate cancer, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and bone scintigraphy were performed to diagnose the clinical stage. Results: The mean serum level of PSA was 2.10 ± 0.49 ng/mL. In this screening study, four of 41 men required further examinations for prostate cancer. Two of four refused further examinations. The other two were diagnosed with prostate cancer. The incidence of prostate cancer was at least 5% in our hemodialysis patients. One man, whose clinical stage was T2aN0M0, was treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy. Another man, whose clinical stage was T2bN0M0, was treated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue. Conclusion: In our preliminary study, prostate cancer screening with PSA was useful for the early detection of prostate cancer in hemodialysis patients. If possible, DRE and TRUS should be performed in conjunction with PSA tests. [source]


The utility of prostate-specific antigen velocity thresholds in clinical practice: a population-based analysis

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 12 2008
David Connolly
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ability of prostate-specific antigen velocity (PSAV) to predict prostate cancer, and assess the test characteristics of several PSAV thresholds for identifying prostate cancer and high-grade cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS From a population-based database of PSA results, men with an initial PSA level of <10.0 ng/mL, taken between I January 1994 and 31 December 2003, were identified. Those with three or more PSA tests before diagnosis, taken over ,18 months, were included. Men were followed for a diagnosis of prostate cancer or histologically confirmed benign disease until 31 December 2003. RESULTS In all, 24 709 men were included, with 716 (2.9%) diagnosed with prostate cancer and 1488 (6.0%) with benign histology. The mean (10.38 vs 0.43 ng/mL/year) and median (1.47 vs 0.03 ng/mL/year) PSAV were considerably higher in men with prostate cancer than in those with no cancer (P < 0.001). There was no PSAV threshold that could reliably identify prostate cancer or high-grade cancers without requiring many men to proceed to prostate biopsy. CONCLUSION In this population, PSAV had additional value over one PSA value in identifying men with prostate cancer. Many men with prostate cancer might have a ,normal' (<0.75 ng/mL/year) PSAV. As with total PSA level, there was no PSAV threshold that could reliably predict prostate cancer, but rather a continuum of risk of cancer associated with PSAV level. [source]


Prostate-specific antigen testing: uncovering primary care influences

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2006
Gerard J. Gormley
OBJECTIVES To examine influences on the behaviour of General Practitioner (GP) in relation to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In Northern Ireland in 2003,2004, all GPs (1067) were invited to complete a self-administered postal questionnaire survey that was then matched with a regional PSA-testing database. The main outcome measures were individual GP responses for demographic, practice and training characteristics, PSA testing behaviour and perceived influences, matched against GP-initiated first PSA tests performed in 2003 and 2004 (22 207 tests). RESULTS In all, 704 GPs (66%) responded and 49% of these reported awareness of the national guidelines, which was highest among those attending postgraduate meetings. PSA tests were more likely to be ordered by full-time male GPs who had attended a local postgraduate urology meeting; ran a ,well-man' clinic; tested men with unrelated complaints; and were not in a training practice. Testing levels were highest among GPs who had been practising for 21,30 years and those in rural practices. Awareness of national guidelines or having had a postgraduate post in urology did not affect testing behaviour. After adjusting for gender, working hours, duration in practice and urban/rural setting, independent influences increasing testing behaviour were: testing men with a positive family history or unrelated complaints; testing any man who requests it; and previous experience of prostate cancer being detected in an asymptomatic patient by PSA testing. Working in an accredited training practice was associated with lower testing levels. CONCLUSION There are complex influences on the PSA testing behaviour of GPs; addressing these influences could contribute to the rationalization of testing. A low awareness of national guidelines indicates a need for new strategies to disseminate and implement guidelines. The influence of local educational meetings on PSA testing is an unharnessed force. [source]