title: Altered prostate specific antigen reference range after transurethral resection of the prostate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated how transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) affected the serum concentration of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and whether the reference range for PSA has to be altered in these patients following TURP.
  
  
  METHODS
  55 patients were retrospectively analysed. All had undergone TURP for bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia which was confirmed by histopathological amination. PSA was determined pre-operatively and postoperatively every 6 months for 48 months. These patients were compared to 12 patients who had undergone radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP) for prostate cancer (CaP). In the latter group, in all patients a TURP had been performed up to 7 years before CaP was diagnosed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median PSA concentration was 4.9 ng/ml before TURP and was subsequently reduced to 0.6 ng/ml after 48 months. There was a steady decrease of the PSA concentration during the observation period. In contrast in patients who subsequently developed a CaP, the median PSA concentration before TURP was 6.8 ng/ml and was reduced to only 2.2 ng/ml after 48 months. PSA levels started to rise before CaP was diagnosed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After a TURP with a benign histopathologic specimer) PSA levels decrease steadily to values below 2 ng/ml. In case these patients demonstrate a rising PSA in the follow-up after partial prostatectomy, a CaP should be ruled out.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Rostock, E-Heydemann Str. 6, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Boekels
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Borchers
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jakse
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rohde
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate
chemical_list: D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen