PSA Velocity Screening for Prostate Cancer May Lead to Unnecessary Biopsies

Extract

Guidelines of several cancer organizations have recommended that men with a rapid rise in PSA have a biopsy for prostate cancer, even if there is no other indication and the PSA is within the “normal” range. But change in PSA – known as PSA velocity—is a poor predictor of prostate cancer, and may lead to many unnecessary biopsies, according to a study published online February 24 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Researchers have known for many years that PSA velocity is statistically correlated with prostate cancer risk. But little is known about how much PSA velocity adds to the value of other indicators or how useful it is to men and their physicians in making decisions about biopsies. And there has never been a study of PSA velocity in men who have had biopsies in the absence of a high PSA or a positive digital rectal exam.