Bladder catheterization and a plasma prostate-specific antigen in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and complete urine retention.

Nineteen men with BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) were studied who had up to 6 months prior to complete urine retention PSA levels measured (PSA I). Subsequent PSA levels were obtained at 2 weeks post catheterization upon catheter removal (PSA II) and at 4 (PSA III) and 6 weeks post catheterization (PSA IV). Analysed were 18 mean PSA values [ng/ml] (as one patient was found to have prostatic cancer and his data were discarded): PSA I - 6.46, PSA II - 14.26, PSA III - 9.83 and PSA IV - 7.47. Initial data suggest that the irritation of the adenoma by the catheter may cause PSA levels to rise.