(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests have been an important diagnostic tool for prostate cancer. However, a new study finds improved biopsy techniques make PSA less useful in prostate cancer screening.

The research supporting the importance of PSA screening was done in the early to mid 1990s. Researchers from New York Presbyterian Hospital of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University assessed whether changes in prostate biopsy practices over the last decade and a half might have changed the predictive value of PSA tests.
 

Study authors analyzed data on all prostate biopsies performed at their institution between 1993 and 2005. Researchers divided the patients into three groups based on the year they received their biopsies. They then examined each group, focusing on the number of biopsies performed, the number of positive biopsies and PSA levels prior to biopsy. They then looked at potential correlations between PSA levels and positive biopsy rate.

Researchers say they found the positive biopsy rate for men in a range lower than a cancer level equaled or surpassed that for patients with higher PSA readings. They say this shows that the correlation between PSA and positive biopsy rate no longer holds true. Study authors say there is an urgent need for new blood or urinary markers to better determine who needs a prostate biopsy.


SOURCE: Cancer, published online March 10, 2008