The effect of prostate volume, age, total prostate specific antigen level and acute inflammation on the percentage of free serum prostate specific antigen levels in men without clinically detectable prostate cancer.

PURPOSE

We determine the influence of age, prostate volume, total serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and histological evidence of acute inflammation in biopsy specimens on the percent free serum PSA level in men without clinically detectable prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 70 men with total PSA levels of 2.6 to 9.9 ng./ml. who had undergone at least 3 sets of prostate biopsies that were negative for cancer as part of our PSA based prostate cancer screening program. Total and free PSA levels were measured using Hybritech immunoassays. Prostate volume and the presence of acute inflammation were determined from the most recent transrectal ultrasonography and prostate needle biopsy.

RESULTS

Percent free PSA levels correlated significantly with age (r = 0.48, p = 0.0001) and prostate volume (r = 0.44, p = 0.0002) but not with total PSA (r = 0.04, p = 0.7). The mean percent free PSA did not differ for those with or without acute inflammation. Multivariate regression models demonstrated that age and prostate volume were significant predictors of percent free PSA.

CONCLUSIONS

Among men without detectable prostate cancer and a total PSA level between 2.6 and 9.9 ng./ml. percent free serum PSA was higher in older men and in men with a larger prostate gland but was not influenced by total PSA level or the presence of acute inflammation in the prostatic biopsy specimen.