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An elevated PSA, which normalizes, does not exclude the presence of prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 8, pages 349–352 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of prostate cancer in patients who have an elevated referral prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which subsequently falls to within their normal age-specific reference range prior to prostate biopsy. The study demonstrated that of the 160 patients recruited, 21 (13%) had a repeat PSA level which had fallen back to within their normal range. Five of these 21 patients (24%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer following biopsy, two of whom had a benign prostate examination. The study, therefore, demonstrates that normalisation of the PSA level prior to biopsy does not exclude the presence of prostate cancer even when the prostate feels benign.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Miss Karen Wilmott for her help with data collection during this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Harold Hopkins Department of Urology, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK

    J L Boddy, S Al-Hayek, N Shaida & P R Malone

  2. Department of Applied Statistic, The University of Reading, Reading, UK

    D J Pike

Authors
  1. J L Boddy
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  2. D J Pike
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  3. S Al-Hayek
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  4. N Shaida
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  5. P R Malone
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Correspondence to J L Boddy.

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Boddy, J., Pike, D., Al-Hayek, S. et al. An elevated PSA, which normalizes, does not exclude the presence of prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 8, 349–352 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500819

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500819

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