Changes in PSA and early diagnosis of cancer of the prostate

During the last four years approximately 400 men were evaluated in the early detection program for prostate cancer at The Ohio State University. Of these 400 men, 25 were found to have cancer. Eleven of the 25 had normal PSAs at the time cancer was diagnosed. The rise with a Hybritech assay, PSA of 1.2 ng/ml per year, one to two and subsequent years of greater than 1.2 ng/ml in this study indicates a higher likelihood of having a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Of the 25 patients who have been evaluated, only 4 patients had a subsequent drop of PSA from year one to two when the value dropped less than 0.6 ng/ml. Prostate intraepithelial neoplasia grade III has also been associated in these patients.