health
PSA velocity tests can lead to unnecessary biopsies
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 21, 2011
The traditional method of screening for high prostate-specific antigen velocity alone is not the best method of determining whether a man should undergo a biopsy, says a study published online Feb. 24 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Researchers evaluated 5,519 men 55 and older from the institute's Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial who underwent biopsy. They found no evidence that men should be biopsied if they have high PSA velocity but no other indications of prostate cancer.
"If a man's PSA has risen rapidly in recent years, there is no cause for concern if his total PSA level is still low and his clinical exam is normal," said Andrew Vickers, PhD, lead study author and associate attending research methodologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
The results contradict research that has shown a relationship between PSA velocity and prostate cancer, said the study (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/03/21/hlbf0321.htm.
