PSA velocity is associated with gleason score in radical prostatectomy specimen: marker for prostate cancer aggressiveness.

OBJECTIVES: Conflicting evidence has been reported on the association of prostate-specific antigen velocity (PSAV) with Gleason score in prostate needle biopsy specimens. The Gleason score is an important prognostic indicator for men with prostate cancer, and, in modern practice, it frequently affects treatment decisions. To our knowledge, the relationship between preoperative PSAV and Gleason score in the radical prostatectomy specimen has not been formally demonstrated.

METHODS: A total of 1049 men treated with radical prostatectomy had data on PSAV and Gleason score. Statistical analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the preoperative PSAV and the prostatectomy Gleason score and other adverse tumor features.

RESULTS: The median preoperative PSAV was 0.84, 0.97, and 1.39 ng/mL/y in men with a Gleason score of 6, 7, and 8-10, respectively (P = .05). A PSAV greater than 2 ng/mL/y was significantly associated with a prostatectomy Gleason score of 7 or greater on univariate and multivariate analysis. In addition, the preoperative PSAV was significantly lower in men with organ-confined disease (0.82 vs 1.17 ng/mL/y, respectively, P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results have further validated PSAV as a marker for prostate cancer aggressiveness. The preoperative PSAV was a significant independent predictor of the Gleason score and non-organ-confined disease in the radical prostatectomy specimen. Thus, PSAV could be useful in treatment decision-making and in assessing the likelihood of long-term cancer control in men with prostate cancer.