Changes in serum prostate-specific antigen level after prostatectomy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Andrology
• Oncology

Background:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in aging men.
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a biomarker used in prostate cancer screening.
• Surgical interventions for BPH can impact PSA levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and open prostatectomy on serum PSA levels.
• To correlate changes in PSA with prostate volume and resected tissue weight.

Main Methods:

• Serum PSA levels were measured pre-operatively and 6 months post-operatively in 86 BPH patients.
• Patients underwent either TURP (45) or open prostatectomy (41).
• Prostate volume was assessed by transrectal ultrasonography; surgical specimens were weighed.

Main Results:

• Both TURP and open prostatectomy led to significant reductions in mean PSA levels (67.4% and 80.7%, respectively).
• Each gram of removed prostate tissue decreased PSA by 0.15 ng/mL (TURP) and 0.10 ng/mL (open prostatectomy).
• Post-operative PSA < 2.00 ng/mL was observed in 88.9% (TURP) and 95.1% (open prostatectomy) of patients.

Conclusions:

• Prostatectomy significantly lowers PSA levels in men with BPH.
• A modified PSA reference range may be needed for prostate cancer screening in post-prostatectomy patients.