Psa Elevation during Intravesical Therapy for Superficial Bladder Carcinoma

Abstract

PSA is commonly accepted as an indication for prostate biopsy. We determined PSA value in 81 consecutive patients treated with intravesical immuno- (59 cases) or chemotherapy (22 cases) for superficial bladder cancer. Blood samples were obtained before and after the induction course of instillation therapy and at 3, 6 and 12 months. We observed a clinical significant elevation of average PSA in 27 cases (45%) during BCG therapy and a return at the baseline levels within 12 months. Histological findings obtained in 10 patients shown inflammatory pictures in 9 cases. Prostate carcinoma was found only in one case with elevated PSA at 12 months. No significant differences of PSA levels were noted in patients treated with chemotherapy.

Our findings confirm that PSA increase in patients during intravesical BCG therapy is self-limited. Prostate biopsies in these patients are not mandatory and could be delayed while monitoring PSA.