Positive and negative biopsies in the pre-prostate specific antigen and prostate specific antigen eras, 1980 to 1997

We assess temporal trends in prostate biopsy incidence, utilization and cancer yield in the community before and after the introduction of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) to the community medical practice

Study subjects comprised all Olmsted County men with a first prostate biopsy performed between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 1997. Medical records of all study subjects (1,729) were reviewed for clinical information from the first and all subsequent biopsies.

Annual age adjusted prostate biopsy incidence increased from 113/100, 000 (95% confidence interval 76, 150) in 1980 to 487/100,000 (421, 554) in 1992 and decreased to 264/100,000 (219, 309) in 1997. For men 50 to 59 years old biopsy incidence increased 400% from 137/100, 000 in 1980 to 1986 to 686/100,000 in 1993 to 1997. Overall, there were 93/100,000 more negative biopsies and 49/100,000 more positive biopsies in 1993 to 1997 than in 1980 to 1986. The overall cancer yield of 36% was essentially unchanged across periods (p = 0.6). However, by age cancer yield decreased from 29% to 21% (1980 to 1986 versus 1993 to 1997) for men 50 to 59 years old but increased from 38% to 45% for those 70 to 79 years old.

Overall cancer yield from prostate biopsies has changed little during the last 15 years. Increased cancer yield for men 70 years old or older has been offset by the decreased yield in younger men. Attention must now be given to diagnostic techniques which might reduce the incidence of negative biopsies and improve cancer yield in younger men.