The Management of the Patient with Elevated Prostate Specific Antigen and a Negative Initial Prostate Biopsy

Background: The prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer amongst men. An elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) level can lead to PCa suspition, thus the confirmation has to be a histopathological one. However, not all increased PSA level means prostate cancer.

Material and Method: This retrospective study presents the results of 422 ultrasound guided prostate biopsy (PB) performed at the Clinic of Urology Târgu- Mureş, between 2011-2012. Inclusion criteria: patients with at least one negative PB and an elevated value of PSA.

Results: In a two year period, from the total of 422 PB (100%), in 179 (42.42%) patients the histopathological result was “negative”. In 154 (86%) of cases ultrasound guided biopsies were performed, mostly with an initial 6 core (98- 54.74% of patients). Average PSA level was 13.45 ng/ml (0.49-100 ng/ml), the histological findings confirmed PCa in 52.58% cases, normal prostatic tissue in 141 cases (78.77%), atypical small acinar proliferation in 12 patients (6.70%), prostate atrophy in 11 males (6.14%), benign prostatic hyperplasia in 10 cases (5.59%) and prostatitis in 5 cases (2.80%). In 30 cases (16.75%) rebiopsy was performed with a number of 10- 12 cores.

Conclusions: In order to increase PCa detection we should perform more cores during PB. In „negative” histopathological cases PSA should be monitorised and the biopsy should be repeated after 6 to 8 weeks from the initial biopsy. Patient’s compliance plays a vital role in the follow-up of the procedure