SERUM PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN IS A STRONG PREDICTOR OF FUTURE PROSTATE GROWTH IN MEN WITH BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

Abstract

Serum PSA is a stronger predictor of growth of the prostate in placebo treated patients than age or baseline prostate volume. Since prostate volume is a risk factor for acute urinary retention and the need for BPH related surgery, the ability of PSA to predict prostate growth may be an important factor when considering individual treatment options for BPH. Such use of PSA represents a shift in paradigm away from focusing solely on symptoms of BPH toward a more comprehensive approach with consideration of predicting and preventing risk factors of BPH related outcomes.