Correlation of serum prostate specific antigen with clinical, radiological and pathological variables in patients with prostate enlargement

Abstract

Background: Prostate enlargement encompasses a spectrum of disorders ranging from benign to malignant. For diagnostic prostatic biopsies no clear prostate specific antigen (PSA) threshold level exists. The study correlates PSA with various clinical data (age of patient, international prostate severity score (IPSS), digital rectal examination (DRE) finding), radiological data (prostate volume) and pathological data (Gleason grade, prostate cancer stage) to aid decision making on treatment of prostate enlargement.Methods: 101 men aged more than 50 years with fresh LUTS and grade 1 or more prostate enlargement on DRE were enrolled. They were worked up with transabdominal ultrasonography, serum PSA and prostate biopsy (when indicated). A descriptive statistical analysis was done for correlation by applying Pearson’s Chi square test for significance.Results: Mean serum PSA value was found to increase with age and higher IPSS score. Mean serum PSA levels were found to rise with grade of prostatomegaly. No significant correlation was seen between serum PSA values and Gleason grade or clinical stage of prostate cancer.Conclusions: Serum PSA levels has a significant correlation with age. With increasing age there is increase in serum PSA levels. Serum PSA levels has a significant correlation with International prostate symptom severity scoring. Serum PSA levels has a significant correlation with prostate size measured by trans-abdominal ultrasonography. Serum PSA levels does not show significant correlation with Gleason score or clinical stage of prostate cancer.