High PSA Velocity Alone Is Not Enough Reason for Biopsy

An analysis of 5,519 men undergoing biopsy in the control arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial uncovered no evidence to support the recommendation that men with high PSA velocity be biopsied in the absence of other indications, according to an online report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Researchers Andrew J. Vickers, PhD, of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and colleagues contend that this measure should not be included in practice guidelines, contrary to National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Urological Association recommendations. Study results indicated that PSA level alone was a much better predictor of biopsy outcome than PSA velocity.

From the April 01, 2011 Issue of Renal and Urology News