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Take Home Message Intervention-related deaths were rare in the ERSPC trial, but relatively large differences in the number of intervention-related deaths were observed among centers. Standardized cause-of-death reviews are important in identifying intervention-related deaths and should be used in screening trials., Background Identification of intervention-related deaths is important for an accurate assessment of the ratio of benefit to harm in screening trials. Objective To investigate intervention-related deaths by study arm in the European Randomized Study of Prostate Cancer Screening (ERSPC). Design, setting, and participants ERSPC is a multicenter trial initiated in the 1990s to investigate whether screening on the basis of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) can decrease prostate cancer mortality. The present study included men in the core age group (55–69 yr: screening group n = 112 553, control group n = 128 681) with 16-yr follow-up. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Causes of death among men with prostate cancer in ERSPC were predominantly evaluated by independent national committees via review of medical records according to a predefined algorithm. Intervention-related deaths were defined as deaths caused by complications during the screening procedure, treatment, or follow-up. Descriptive statistics were used for the results. Results and limitations In total, 34 deaths were determined to be intervention-related, of which 21 were in the screening arm and 13 in the control arm. The overall risk of intervention-related death was 1.41 (95% confidence interval 0.99–1.99) per 10 000 randomized men for both arms combined and varied among centers from 0 to 7.0 per 10 000 randomized men. A limitation of this study is that differences in procedures among centers decreased the comparability of the results. Conclusions Intervention-related deaths were rare in ERSPC. Monitoring of intervention-related deaths in screening trials is important for assessment of harms. Patient summary We investigated deaths due to screening or treatment to assess harm in a trial of prostate cancer screening. Few such deaths were identified.

Item does not contain fulltext This paper describes the development of a 3- stage signalling framework to trigger a social robot's bottom- up reactive behavior inspired by a biological model. In the first stage, low-level firing of stimuli due to external sources is constructed through perception grounding. This is followed by a saliency classifier which fires-up high level salient signals that require attention and are used to trigger the robot's reactive behavior. The whole framework evolves primarily on the knowledge ontology that defines the characteristics of the social robot and the querying mechanism that correlates the perceived stimuli with the ontology to trigger the reactive behavior. We evaluated the performance of our system with timing metrics and we achieved good results for our application. 2022 International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) (Philadelphia, PA, USA , 23-27 May 2022)

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:With a median follow–up of 16 years the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) shows a relative reduction of prostate cancer (PCa) specific mo...

Background: The European Randomized study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) has previously demonstrated that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening decreases prostate cancer (PCa) mortality. Objective: To determine whether PSA screening decreases PCa mortality for up to 16 yr and to assess results following adjustment for nonparticipation and the number of screening rounds attended. Design, setting, and participants: This multicentre population-based randomised screening trial was conducted in eight European countries. Report includes 182 160 men, followed up until 2014 (maximum of 16 yr), with a predefined core age group of 162 389 men (55-69 yr), selected from population registry. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The outcome was PCa mortality, also assessed with adjustment for nonparticipation and the number of screening rounds attended. Results and limitations: The rate ratio of PCa mortality was 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72-0.89, p 20 ng/ml (9.9% compared with 4.1% in the second round, p

BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and concomitant treatment can be implemented in several ways. The authors investigated how the net benefit of PSA screening varies between common practice versus “good practice.”. METHODS: Microsimulation screening analysis (MISCAN) was used to evaluate the effect on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) if 4 recommendations were followed: limited screening in older men, selective biopsy in men with elevated PSA, active surveillance for low-risk tumors, and treatment preferentially delivered at high-volume centers. Outcomes were compared with a base model in which annual screening started at ages 55 to 69 years and were simulated using data from the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer. RESULTS: In terms of QALYs gained compared with no screening, for 1000 screened men who were followed over their lifetime, recommended good practice led to 73 life-years (LYs) and 74 QALYs gained compared with 73 LYs and 56 QALYs for the base model. In contrast, common practice led to 78 LYs gained but only 19 QALYs gained, for a greater than 75% relative reduction in QALYs gained from unadjusted LYs gained. The poor outcomes for common practice were influenced predominantly by the use of aggressive treatment for men with low-risk disease, and PSA testing in older men also strongly reduced potential QALY gains. CONCLUSIONS: Commonly used PSA screening and treatment practices are associated with little net benefit. Following a few straightforward clinical recommendations, particularly greater use of active surveillance for low-risk disease and reducing screening in older men, would lead to an almost 4-fold increase in the net benefit of prostate cancer screening. Cancer 2016;122:3386–3393. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Objectives Recently, the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer achieved a reduction in prostate cancer mortality by measuring serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. These results were not reproduced in the Spanish arm of European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer. PSA contamination (opportunistic measurements outside the study) could decrease the study's contrasting power if performed in the control arm. We have calculated the long-term rate of PSA contamination and its effect on performing prostate biopsy and detecting cancer. Material and methods A total of 4276 men were randomized (2415 to the screening arm, 1861 to the control arm) in the Spanish section of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer. PSA measurements were not scheduled in the control arm. Sextant prostate biopsy was indicated if PSA levels were ≥3 ng/ml. All PSA readings performed outside the study were labeled as “PSA contamination”. We calculated the rates of PSA contamination, biopsy implementation and cancer detection. Results The median age and follow-up time were 57 and 15.1 years, respectively. A total of 2511 men underwent at least one PSA reading outside the study. PSA contamination at 5, 10 and 15 years was 22.0%, 47.1% and 66.3% in the screening arm, respectively, and 20.8%, 43.2% and 58.6% in the control arm, respectively ( p p p = 0.0006). Conclusions Although the cumulative PSA contamination was pronounced in the 2 study arms, the rate of prostate biopsies was low in the control arm. We therefore believe that the effect of PSA contamination on the study's statistical power should be limited.

Objetivos: Recientemente, el Estudio Aleatorizado Europeo de Screening del Cáncer de Próstata consiguió una reducción de la mortalidad por cáncer de próstata mediante la determinación sérica de antígeno específico-prostático (PSA). Estos resultados no fueron reproducidos en la rama española del Estudio Aleatorizado Europeo de Screening del Cáncer de Próstata. La contaminación de PSA (determinación oportunista fuera del estudio) podría disminuir el poder de contraste del estudio si se lleva a cabo en el brazo control. Hemos calculado la tasa de contaminación de PSA a largo plazo, y su efecto en la realización de biopsia prostática y en la detección de cáncer. Material y métodos: Se aleatorizaron 4.276 varones (2.415 brazo screening, 1.861 brazo control) en la sección española del Estudio Aleatorizado Europeo de Screening del Cáncer de Próstata. No se programó la determinación de PSA en el brazo control. Se indicó biopsia prostática sextante si PSA ≥ 3 ng/ml. Toda determinación de PSA realizada fuera del estudio fue etiquetada como «contaminación de PSA». Se calcularon las tasas de contaminación de PSA, realización de biopsia y detección de cáncer. Resultados: Las medianas de edad y tiempo de seguimiento fueron de 57 y 15,1 años respectivamente. Un total de 2.511 varones se realizó al menos una determinación de PSA fuera del estudio. La contaminación de PSA a los 5, 10 y 15 años fue del 22; 47,1 y 66,3% en el brazo screening, y del 20,8; 43,2 y 58,6 en el brazo control, respectivamente (p < 0,0001). La tasa de biopsia a los 5, 10 y 15 años fue del 19,3; 22,6 y 24,1% (screening) y del 1; 3,6 y 7,1% (control), respectivamente (p < 0,0001). La detección de cáncer de próstata fue del 6,7% (screening) y del 4,3% (control, p = 0,0006). Conclusiones: Aunque la contaminación acumulada de PSA fue notable en los 2 brazos del estudio, la realización de biopsia prostática fue escasa en el brazo control. Por ello, creemos que el impacto de la contaminación de PSA sobre el poder estadístico del estudio debe ser limitado. Objectives: Recently, the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer achieved a reduction in prostate cancer mortality by measuring serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. These results were not reproduced in the Spanish arm of European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer. PSA contamination (opportunistic measurements outside the study) could decrease the study's contrasting power if performed in the control arm. We have calculated the long-term rate of PSA contamination and its effect on performing prostate biopsy and detecting cancer. Material and methods: A total of 4,276 men were randomised (2,415 to the screening arm, 1,861 to the control arm) in the Spanish section of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer. PSA measurements were not scheduled in the control arm. Sextant prostate biopsy was indicated if PSA levels were ≥ 3 ng/mL. All PSA readings performed outside the study were labelled as “PSA contamination”. We calculated the rates of PSA contamination, biopsy implementation and cancer detection. Results: The median age and follow-up time were 57 and 15.1 years, respectively. A total of 2,511 men underwent at least one PSA reading outside the study. PSA contamination at 5, 10 and 15 years was 22.0%, 47.1% and 66.3% in the screening arm, respectively, and 20.8%, 43.2% and 58.6% in the control arm, respectively (P < .0001). The biopsy rate at 5, 10 and 15 years was 19.3%, 22.6% and 24.1% (screening), respectively, and 1.0%, 3.6% and 7.1% (control), respectively (P < .0001). The PC detection rate was 6.7% (screening) and 4.3% (control; P = .0006). Conclusions: Although the cumulative PSA contamination was pronounced in the 2 study arms, the rate of prostate biopsies was low in the control arm. We therefore believe that the effect of PSA contamination on the study's statistical power should be limited. Sin financiación 1.181 JCR (2016) Q4, 60/77 Urology & Nephrology UEM

A 21% prostate cancer (PCa) mortality reduction was observed in the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) at 13 years of follow-up. A direct correlation between stage shift and changes in PCa-mortality would support earlier detection through screening as the main reason for this reduction. In this study we empirically estimate how changes in the risk of being diagnosed with (advanced) PCa are related to the changes in PCa death in the ERSPC using a meta-regression approach. In total 81% and 89% of the changes in PCa mortality could be explained by changes in PCa incidence. Although this analysis cannot show direct causal relations, results support the hypothesis that PSA screening reduced PCa mortality by detecting cancer at an earlier stage while still curable. These findings do however not open the way to unrestricted PSA based screening for PCa. A balance between harm and benefit needs to be found.

Purpose: The balance of benefits and harms in prostate cancer screening has not been sufficiently characterized. We related indicators of mortality reduction and overdetection by center within the European Randomized Study of Prostate Cancer Screening (ERSPC). Experimental Design: We analyzed the absolute mortality reduction expressed as number needed to invite (NNI = 1/absolute risk reduction; indicating how many men had to be randomized to screening arm to avert a prostate cancer death) for screening and the absolute excess of prostate cancer detection as number needed for overdetection (NNO = 1/absolute excess incidence; indicating the number of men invited per additional prostate cancer case), and compared their relationship across the seven ERSPC centers. Results: Both absolute mortality reduction (NNI) and absolute overdetection (NNO) varied widely between the centers: NNI, 200–7,000 and NNO, 16–69. Extent of overdiagnosis and mortality reduction was closely associated [correlation coefficient, r = 0.76; weighted linear regression coefficient, β = 33; 95% confidence interval (CI), 5–62; R2 = 0.72]. For an averted prostate cancer death at 13 years of follow-up, 12 to 36 excess cases had to be detected in various centers. Conclusions: The differences between the ERSPC centers likely reflect variations in prostate cancer incidence and mortality, as well as in screening protocol and performance. The strong interrelation between the benefits and harms suggests that efforts to maximize the mortality effect are bound to increase overdiagnosis and might be improved by focusing on high-risk populations. The optimal balance between screening intensity and risk of overdiagnosis remains unclear. Clin Cancer Res; 22(1); 243–9. ©2015 AACR.

Objetivo: En la actualidad el papel del screening del cáncer de próstata (CaP) está cuestionado. El estudio aleatorizado europeo de screening del cáncer de próstata (ERSPC) tiene como objetivo demostrar si el screening del CaP reduce la mortalidad por esta enfermedad. Se muestran los resultados en la rama española de este estudio: mortalidad global y cáncer-específica, características de los tumores detectados, de los tratamientos primarios y de la progresión a enfermedad avanzada. Material y métodos: Se invitó a participar a 18.612 varones entre los 45 y 70 años de edad, excluyendo aquellos con una expectativa de vida inferior a 10 años. Se llevó a cabo aleatorización a brazo screening (determinación de PSA sérico) y brazo control (no pruebas diagnósticas). Se indicó biopsia prostática aleatorizada sextante dirigida por ecografía transrectal en los varones del brazo screening con PSA ≥ 3 ng/ml. Se identificaron los CaP detectados (estadio y tratamiento primarios), así como los fallecimientos producidos (fecha y causa de la muerte). Resultados: El estudio se llevó a cabo con 4.276 varones (2.415 brazo screening, 1.861 brazo control). Las medianas de edad y PSA sérico fueron de 57 años y 0,90 ng/ml respectivamente. El tiempo de seguimiento (mediana) fue de 15,8 años. Se diagnosticaron 242 CaP, 162 (6,7%) en el brazo screening y 80 (4,3%) en el control (p < 0,001). De ellos 214 (88,4%) comenzaron con estadio clínico organoconfinado (91,4% brazo screening vs 82,5% control, p = 0,024). Un total de 112 pacientes (46,3%) fue sometido a prostatectomía radical, 53 (21,9%) a radioterapia prostática, 24 (9,9%) a tratamiento hormonal y 47 (19,4%) a observación. Un total de 18 CaP evolucionaron a enfermedad avanzada (M+ o PSA > 100 ng/ml), sin diferencia entre los brazos del estudio (p = 0,938). Un total de 618 (14,5%) fallecieron a lo largo del seguimiento: 340 (14,1%) en el brazo screening y 278 (14,9%) en el control, sin diferencias entre brazos en términos de mortalidad cáncer-específica (p = 0,907) ni por todas las causas (p = 0,399). Las principales causas de muerte encontradas fueron neoplasia (54,0%), cardiovascular (17,6%), respiratoria (8,7%) y digestiva (4,0%), sin diferencia entre brazos. De los 334 pacientes fallecidos por neoplasia tan solo 12 (3,6%) murieron por CaP. Conclusiones: El screening del CaP produce una migración del diagnóstico hacia estadios más precoces. No obstante, no hemos demostrado un beneficio en términos de supervivencia global ni cáncer-específica tras más de 15 años de seguimiento. La baja mortalidad por esta enfermedad en nuestro entorno podría ser uno de los principales factores para explicar estos resultados. Objective: The role of prostate cancer (PC) screening is currently being questioned. The objective of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) was to demonstrate whether PC screening reduced mortality from this disease. The results from the Spanish branch of this study are presented: all-cause and cancer-specific mortality, the characteristics of the detected tumors, primary treatments and progression to advanced disease. Material and methods: A total of 18,612 men, between the ages of 45 and 70, were invited to participate in the study, excluding those with a life expectancy of less than 10 years. The men were randomized to the screening arm (serum prostate-specific antigen [PSA] reading) or the control arm (no diagnostic tests). Randomized transrectal ultrasound-guided sextant prostate biopsies were indicated for the men in the screening arm with PSA levels ≥ 3 ng/ml. The detected PCs were identified (stage and primary treatment), as well as the deaths that occurred (date and cause of death). Results: The study was performed with 4276 men (2415 in the screening arm and 1861 in the control arm). The median age and serum PSA level were 57 years and 0.90 ng/mL, respectively. The median follow-up time was 15.8 years. A total of 242 PCs were diagnosed, 162 (6.7%) in the screening arm and 80 (4.3%) in the control arm (P < .001). Of these, 214 (88.4%) had an organ-confined clinical stage at onset (91.4% in the screening arm vs. 82.5% in the control arm; P = .024). A total of 112 patients (46.3%) underwent radical prostatectomy, 53 (21.9%) underwent prostate radiation therapy, 24 (9.9%) underwent hormone therapy and 47 (19.4%) were kept under observation. A total of 18 PCs progressed to advanced disease (M+ or PSA levels > 100 ng/mL), with no differences between the study arms (P = .938). A total of 618 (14.5%) patients died during follow-up: 340 (14.1%) in the screening arm and 278 (14.9%) in the control arm, with no differences between the arms in terms of cancer-specific (P = .907) or all-cause (P = .399) mortality. The main causes of death were neoplasia (54.0%), cardiovascular (17.6%), respiratory (8.7%) and gastrointestinal (4.0%), with no difference between study arms. Of the 334 patients who died from neoplasia, only 12 (3.6%) died from PC. Conclusions: PC screening results in a shifting of the diagnosis towards earlier stages. Nevertheless, we have not demonstrated a benefit in terms of overall or cancer-specific survival after more than 15 years of follow-up. The low mortality from this disease in our community could be one of the main factors that explain these results. Sin financiación 0.964 JCR (2015) Q4, 63/77 Urology & Nephrology UEM

Objective The role of prostate cancer (PC) screening is currently being questioned. The objective of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) was to demonstrate whether PC screening reduced mortality from this disease. The results from the Spanish branch of this study are presented: all-cause and cancer-specific mortality, the characteristics of the detected tumors, primary treatments and progression to advanced disease. Materials and methods A total of 18,612 men, between the ages of 45 and 70, were invited to participate in the study, excluding those with a life expectancy of less than 10 years. The men were randomized to the screening arm (serum prostate-specific antigen [PSA] reading) or the control arm (no diagnostic tests). Randomized transrectal ultrasound-guided sextant prostate biopsies were indicated for the men in the screening arm with PSA levels ≥3 ng/ml. The detected PCs were identified (stage and primary treatment), as well as the deaths that occurred (date and cause of death). Results The study was performed with 4276 men (2415 in the screening arm and 1861 in the control arm). The median age and serum PSA level were 57 years and 0.90 ng/mL, respectively. The median follow-up time was 15.8 years. A total of 242 PCs were diagnosed, 162 (6.7%) in the screening arm and 80 (4.3%) in the control arm ( p p = .024). A total of 112 patients (46.3%) underwent radical prostatectomy, 53 (21.9%) underwent prostate radiation therapy, 24 (9.9%) underwent hormone therapy and 47 (19.4%) were kept under observation. A total of 18 PCs progressed to advanced disease (M+ or PSA levels >100 ng/mL), with no differences between the study arms ( p = .938). A total of 618 (14.5%) patients died during follow-up: 340 (14.1%) in the screening arm and 278 (14.9%) in the control arm, with no differences between the arms in terms of cancer-specific ( p = .907) or all-cause ( p = .399) mortality. The main causes of death were neoplasia (54.0%), cardiovascular (17.6%), respiratory (8.7%) and gastrointestinal (4.0%), with no difference between study arms. Of the 334 patients who died from neoplasia, only 12 (3.6%) died from PC. Conclusions PC screening results in a shifting of the diagnosis toward earlier stages. Nevertheless, we have not demonstrated a benefit in terms of overall or cancer-specific survival after more than 15 years of follow-up. The low mortality from this disease in our community could be one of the main factors that explain these results.

The paper describes the use of frequentist and Bayesian shared-parameter joint models of longitudinal measurements of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the risk of prostate cancer (PCa). The motivating dataset corresponds to the screening arm of the Spanish branch of the European Randomized Screening for Prostate Cancer study. The results show that PSA is highly associated with the risk of being diagnosed with PCa and that there is an age-varying effect of PSA on PCa risk. Both the frequentist and Bayesian paradigms produced very close parameter estimates and subsequent 95% confidence and credibility intervals. Dynamic estimations of disease-free probabilities obtained using Bayesian inference highlight the potential of joint models to guide personalized risk-based screening strategies.

Objetivo Estudiar si el screening del cancer de prostata (CaP) reduce la mortalidad por esta enfermedad en la poblacion asintomatica, dentro del ambito de la rama espanola del European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC). Material y metodos Entre 1996 y 1999 fueron reclutados 4.278 varones con edades comprendidas entre los 45 y los 70 anos. Fueron aleatorizados a brazo screening (PSA cada 4 anos, con biopsia prostatica si PSA?3ng/ml) y brazo control (no tests). De modo anual se registraron fechas y causas de mortalidad. Se realizo un analisis Kaplan-Meier para calcular la supervivencia global y cancer-especifica. Resultados Se reclutaron 2.416 sujetos en el brazo screening y 1.862 en el control. La edad media fue de 57,8 anos y la mediana del tiempo de seguimiento de 13,3 anos. Al finalizar el seguimiento se registraron 427 fallecimientos (9 por CaP). El analisis de supervivencia no mostro diferencia entre los brazos del estudio con respecto a la mortalidad global ni cancer-especifica (p=0,939 y p=0,544 respectivamente). Las causas principales de muerte fueron los tumores malignos (52,9%), las enfermedades cardiovasculares (17,3%) y respiratorias (8,9%). Solo un 2,1% de las muertes (0,2% de todos los reclutados) fueron causadas por CaP (2,5% screening, 1,6% control). Conclusiones La rama espanola del ERSPC no ha reproducido los resultados a largo plazo del estudio principal, no observandose diferencias en la mortalidad (global o cancer-especifica) despues de 15 anos de seguimiento. La mortalidad por CaP fue muy limitada (inferior al 1%). Estos resultados apoyan el escaso rendimiento del screening del CaP en nuestro entorno.

Objective To address if prostate cancer (PCa) screening decreases PCa mortality in the asymptomatic population, within the setting of the Spanish arm of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC). Material and methods From 1996 to 1999, 4278 men aged 45–70 years were recruited and randomized to the screening arm (PSA every 4 years, prostate biopsy when PSA ≥ 3 ng/ml) and control arm (no tests). Dates and causes of death were collected on an annual basis. A Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to calculate overall and cancer-specific survival. Results A total of 2416 men were recruited in the screening arm and 1862 in the control arm. Mean age was 57.8 years, and median follow-up was 13.3 years. At the end of the follow-up period, 427 deaths (9 from PCa) were observed. Survival analysis did not show any difference between the study arms with respect to overall and cancer-specific survival ( p = 0.939 and p = 0.544 respectively). Most relevant causes of death were malignant tumors (52.9%), cardiovascular disease (17.3%) and respiratory (8.9%). Only 2.1% of deaths (0.2% of all recruited men) were due to PCa (2.5% screening, 1.6% control). Conclusions The Spanish arm of ERSPC failed to reproduce the long-term results shown in the whole study. No differences in mortality (overall or cancer-specific) were observed after 15 years of follow-up. PCa mortality was infrequent (less than 1%). These results suggest limited yield of PCa screening in our setting.

Objectives Obese patients may have special characteristics in the urinary stones formed, as the body mass index (BMI) may also be a predictive factor in lithiasic recurrence. We aim to evaluate and compare the lithiasic characteristics according to the different BMI categories, also considering the likelihood of lithiasic recurrence in presence of age and gender covariables. Material and methods Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis on 346 lithiasic patients was done: 96 (27.7%) had low-normal weight, 151 (43.6%) were overweight, and 99 (28.6%) were obese. The Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used. Survival analysis for the calculation of likelihood of lithiasic recurrence (yes/no) was made based on time on 158 patients in whom complete resolution of the initial stone was achieved by the Kaplan Meier method. Comparisons between the different categories of BMI were made using the log-Rank, Breslow and Tarone–Ware tests. Multivariate analysis was also made with the Cox regression model, introducing the covariables of age and gender. Results A significant growing linear tendency has been demonstrated between multiplicity and BMI ( p = 0.03). The variables size and composition did not show significant differences between the groups. Median follow-up of 158 patients included in the survival analysis was 1866 days (95% CI 1602.5–2129.5). Eighteen (11.4%) of them recurred, without finding significant differences between groups: 4 low-normal weight (9.8%), 10 overweight (14.1%) and 4 obese (8.7%). The multivariate analysis did not show a significant influence of the BMI on lithiasic recurrence either ( p = 0.86, HR = 1.06 95% CI 0.56–2.03). Conclusion A significant influence of BMI was shown on lithiasic multiplicity on diagnosis, although not on lithiasic recurrence based on time. It seems to be necessary to carry out studies in larger samples to calculate the true influence of BMI on lithiasic recurrence.

Resumen Objetivos Los enfermos obesos pueden presentar particularidades en las caracteristicas de los calculos urinarios que forman; ademas el indice de masa corporal (IMC) puede constituir un factor predictivo de recidiva litiasica. Pretendemos evaluar y comparar las caracteristicas litiasicas segun las diferentes categorias de IMC, teniendo tambien en cuenta la probabilidad de recidiva litiasica en presencia de las covariables edad y sexo. Material y metodos Analisis transversal retrospectivo sobre 346 enfermos litiasicos: 96 (27,7%) presentaban bajo-normopeso, 151 (43,6%) sobrepeso y 99 (28,6%) obesidad. Se utilizaron los test de la Chi cuadrado y ANOVA. Se realizo analisis de supervivencia para el calculo de la probabilidad de recidiva litiasica (si/no) en funcion del tiempo, sobre 158 enfermos, en los que se consiguio la resolucion completa del calculo inicial empleando el metodo de Kaplan Meier. Las comparaciones entre las diferentes categorias de IMC se realizaron mediante los test de Log-Rank, Breslow y Tarone-Ware. Se realizo tambien analisis multivariante mediante modelo de regresion de Cox, introduciendo las covariables edad y sexo. Resultados Se demostro una tendencia creciente lineal significativa entre multiplicidad e IMC (p = 0,03). Las variables tamano y composicion no demostraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos. La mediana de seguimiento de los 158 enfermos incluidos en el analisis de supervivencia fue 1.866 dias (IC 95%: 1.602,5-2.129,5). Recidivaron 18 de ellos (11,4%) sin encontrarse diferencias significativas entre grupos: 4 bajo-normopeso (9,8%), 10 sobrepeso (14,1%) y 4 obesos (8,7%). El analisis multivariante tampoco demostro una influencia significativa del IMC sobre la recidiva litiasica (p = 0,86: HR = 1,06; IC 95%: 0,56-2,03). Conclusion Se demuestra una influencia significativa del IMC sobre la multiplicidad litiasica al diagnostico, aunque no sobre la recidiva litiasica en funcion del tiempo. Parece necesario llevar a cabo estudios con muestras amplias para calcular la verdadera influencia del IMC sobre la recidiva litiasica.

Background After 11 years of follow-up, the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) reported a 29% reduction in prostate-cancer mortality among men who underwent screening for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. However, the extent to which harms to quality of life resulting from overdiagnosis and treatment counterbalance this benefit is uncertain. Methods On the basis of ERSPC follow-up data, we used Microsimulation Screening Analysis (MISCAN) to predict the number of prostate cancers, treatments, deaths, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained after the introduction of PSA screening. Various screening strategies, efficacies, and quality-of-life assumptions were modeled. Results Per 1000 men of all ages who were followed for their entire life span, we predicted that annual screening of men between the ages of 55 and 69 years would result in nine fewer deaths from prostate cancer (28% reduction), 14 fewer men receiving palliative therapy (35% reduction), and a total of 73 life-years gained (average, 8.4 years per prostate-cancer death avoided). The number of QALYs that were gained was 56 (range, -21 to 97), a reduction of 23% from unadjusted life-years gained. To prevent one prostate-cancer death, 98 men would need to be screened and 5 cancers would need to be detected. Screening of all men between the ages of 55 and 74 would result in more life-years gained (82) but the same number of QALYs (56). Conclusions The benefit of PSA screening was diminished by loss of QALYs owing to postdiagnosis long-term effects. Longer follow-up data from both the ERSPC and quality-of-life analyses are essential before universal recommendations regarding screening can be made. (Funded by the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development and others.)

Objective: To evaluate a change in tumour characteristics and applied treatments over time in the control arm of all centres of the European Randomized study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) and to compare this with similar data of the screening arm. Methods: Between 1993 and 2003, 182,160 men, aged 50-74 years, were randomised to the screening arm (N = 82,816) and the control arm (N = 99,184). Men in the screening arm were offered Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) testing every 4 years whilst men in the control arm received usual care. Tumour characteristics and treatment were evaluated in all men diagnosed with prostate cancer up to December 2006 or the third screening round. Data on the control arm were divided into 3 periods: 1994-1998, 1999-2002 and 2003-2006. Results: Tumour characteristics were more favourable over time in both the control and the screening arm, with especially increasing proportions of T1C tumours with 29% in 19941998 versus 50% in 2003-2006 and 48% at the initial screening round versus 75% at the third screening round, respectively. Tumour characteristics observed in the last period of the control arm were comparable to tumour characteristics in the initial screening round. In the control arm, treatment changed over time with surgery as the most common treatment in the entire observed period, but almost doubling of expectant management and the combination of hormone therapy and radiotherapy over time. In the initial screening round, surgery was the most common treatment (42%), changing over time to expectant management as the most frequently applied treatment in the third screening round (33%). Conclusion: Tumour characteristics in the control arm became more favourable over time and show similarity with prostate cancer cases detected at the initial screening round. The most prominent change in treatment over time was an increase of application of expectant management in both arms of the ERSPC. These observations reflect an increasing rate of opportunistic testing over time in men randomised to the control arm. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background: The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) has shown a 21% reduction in prostate cancer (PCa) mortality and a 1.6-fold increase in PCa incidence with prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening (at 13 yr of follow-up). We evaluated PCa incidence by risk category at diagnosis across the study arms to assess the potential impact on PCa mortality. Design, setting, and participants: Information on arm, centre, T and M stage, Gleason score, serum PSA at diagnosis, age at randomisation, follow-up time, and vital status were extracted from the ERSPC database. Four risk categories at diagnosis were defined: 1, low; 2, intermediate; 3, high; 4, metastatic disease. PSA ( 100 ng/ml) was used as the indicator of metastasis. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for screening versus control arm by risk category at diagnosis and follow-up time were calculated using Poisson regression analysis for seven centres. Follow-up was truncated at 13 yr. Missing data were imputed using chained equations. The analyses were carried out on an intention-to-treat basis. Results and limitations: In the screening arm, 7408 PCa cases were diagnosed and 6107 in the control arm. The proportion of missing stage, Gleason score, or PSA value was comparable in the two arms (8% vs 10%), but differed among centres. The IRRs were elevated in the screening arm for the low-risk (IRR: 2.14; 95% CI, 2.03-2.25) and intermediate-risk (IRR: 1.24; 95% CI, 1.16-1.34) categories at diagnosis, equal to unity for the high-risk category at diagnosis (IRR: 1.00; 95% CI, 0.89-1.13), and reduced for metastatic disease at diagnosis (IRR: 0.60; 95% CI, 0.52-0.70). The IRR of metastatic disease had temporal pattern similar to mortality, shifted forwards an average of almost 3 yr, although the mortality reduction was smaller. Conclusions: The results confirm a reduction in metastatic disease at diagnosis in the screening arm, preceding mortality reduction by almost 3 yr. Patient summary: The findings of this study indicate that the decrease in metastatic disease at diagnosis is the major determinant of the prostate cancer mortality reduction in the European Randomized study of Screening for Prostate Cancer. (C) 2015 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Objective: To assess patient satisfaction and functional results at long term follow-up after surgical correction for Peyronie’sdisease (PD) and congenital penile curvature (CPC) with the technique of tunical plication.Materials and Methods: One hundred and two men operated for PD (n = 76) or CPC (n = 26) in four different departmentsof urology in public hospitals agreed to answer a six-question telephone questionnaire about treatment satisfaction.Tunica albuginea plication procedures represented the standard surgical approach. Subjects under investigation werecorrection of the deformity, feeling of bumps under the skin, pain during erection, penile sensory changes, developmentof erectile dysfunction (ED) and postoperative ability for complete vaginal intromission. Subjective response rates werecompared using the chi square test on the basis of the etiology of the disease (CPC or PD).Results: Significant differences (p < 0.05) between patients with CPC and PD were noticed in the prevalence of postoperativepenile deformity, sensory changes, ED and ability to complete vaginal intromission, PD patients always showing a morepessimistic view. No significant differences (p = ns) were detected in terms of unpleasant nodes under the penile skin orpain during erection.Conclusions: Long-term outcome after surgical correction for PD and CPC with the technique of tunical plication can bepoor. Probably patient expectations are above the real performance of surgical techniques. Preoperative informationshould be more exhaustive.Key words: penis; Peyronie’s disease; surgery; erectile dysfunctionInt Braz J Urol. 2007; 33: 502-9

OBJECTIVE: The literature lacks of studies on postoperative outcomes after urological ambulatory surgery. Our study aims to identify parameters associated with postoperative complications within 30 days after ambulatory urological surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adjusted and unadjusted comparisons between clinical features and postoperative outcome (complicated and uncomplicated). RESULTS: Postoperative course was complicated in 5% of the patients. Discharge schedule was not completed in 1.1% while unplanned visits resulted in admission in 0.5%. Multivariate analyses could only confirm the independent effect of type of anesthesia and diagnosis-related group (DRG) relative weight. CONCLUSIONS: Ambulatory urological surgery can be safe in terms of postoperative complications. In the present study surgery under general anesthesia, or a higher DRG relative weight procedure, increased the risk of complications compared to surgery under regional or local anesthesia or lower DRG relative weight operations. Patients scheduled for general anesthesia or undergoing complex urological procedures should be warned about an increased risk of postoperative incidents and/or readmission.

The advantages and disadvantages of two different methods of analyzing the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) trial with respect to the effect of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening on prostate cancer (PCa) mortality (ie, disease-specific mortality analysis and excess mortality analysis) are discussed in depth. The traditional disease-specific mortality is the best end point, but it could be biased by misclassification of causes of death, and it does not take into account the possible effect of the screening process on other causes of death. Excess mortality analysis overcomes these problems, but the results could be biased if the expected mortality is not corrected for attendance status. Both methods, when applied to the ERSPC trials, demonstrate that no increase in non-PCa mortality occurred in the screening group and confirm that PSA screening decreases PCa mortality. (C) 2013 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

OBJECTIVE To validate the spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR) model for basic research into benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), and to assess doxazosin-induced changes in prostatic structure and apoptotic status. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four groups of rats were assessed: group 1, 15 SHRs treated with doxazosin; group 2, 14 SHRs with unilateral excision of the major pelvic ganglion; group 3, 14 untreated SHRs; and group 4, 16 intact Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The doxazosin mesylate (0.03 mg daily) was given compacted in rat food for 3 months. The prostatic ventral lobe (VL) was excised and weighed. Stereological light microscopy, multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of prostate caspases, and caspase-3 activity (cellular enzymatic assay) were assessed. RESULTS There was more development of the glandular epithelium (P

Objective To evaluate the overall specificity of nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSM) mRNA in peripheral blood samples of healthy donors. Subjects and methods Peripheral blood samples were taken from 60 healthy blood-donors (30 men and 30 women aged

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of five polyphenol constituents of red wine (quercetin, morin, rutin, gallic acid and tannic acid) on the proliferation of LNCaP cells, and to quantify the extent of apoptosis with each polyphenol. MATERIALS AND METHODS LNCaP cells (500) were cultured in microtitre plates and treated with gallic acid, tannic acid, quercetin (1, 5 and 10 micromol/L), rutin and morin (25, 50 and 75 micromol/L). A colorimetric immunoassay was then used to determine the extent of proliferation at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, and a cell-death detection assay to assess apoptosis at 24, 48 and 72 h. RESULTS Gallic and tannic acid (5 and 10 micromol/L), morin (50 and 75 micromol/L), quercetin (5 and 10 micromol/L) and rutin (50 and 75 micromol/L) all significantly inhibited (P

Objective To evaluate the clinical utility of using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA in peripheral blood samples from patients with prostate cancer, as a predictor of extraprostatic disease, and to assess any correlations with known predictive markers of this condition. Patients and methods Immediately before radical prostatectomy, peripheral blood samples were taken from 25 men with clinically localized prostate cancer and analysed for PSA mRNA using RT-PCR (in ‘hot-start’ conditions and confirmed using ClaI restriction enzyme). The relationships between PSA mRNA positivity, pathological and clinical features were analysed; PSA mRNA positivity, PSA level and biopsy Gleason score were then compared as predictors of extraprostatic disease. Results There was no relationship between PSA mRNA positivity and pathological stage (pT2 or pT3), and no association between PSA mRNA positivity and serum PSA level, PSA density, the findings on a digital rectal examination or transrectal ultrasonography, and perineural invasion in the prostatic biopsy. However, there was a significant correlation between the Gleason score of the preoperative biopsy and PSA mRNA positivity. The best predictors of extraprostatic disease were the biopsy Gleason score and the PSA level. Conclusion There was no significant advantage in using the RT-PCR assay of PSA mRNA before surgery to stage prostate cancer and to discriminate between organ-confined and extraprostatic neoplasms.

To present the long-term results of a prostate cancer (PC) screening trial conducted in a Mediterranean setting.A total of 4276 men aged 45-70 years were randomized to screening arm (PSA test performed) and control arm (no tests). Transrectal ultrasonography-guided sextant prostate biopsy was conducted when PSAor = 3 ng ml(-1). Date and cause of death were retrieved from death certificates. PC incidence, and disease-specific and overall mortality curves were plotted and comparison between arms was made. Analysis of causes of death was also performed.Median age at randomization was 57.0 years. Median follow-up time was 15.2 years. A total of 241 men were diagnosed with PC, 161 (6.7%) in the screening arm and 80 (4.3%) in the control arm (P0.01). Eventually, 554 men (13%) died. No difference in all-cause mortality was found between arms (P=0.34). Only 10 men (10/4276, 0.23%) died from PC, no differences between arms (P=0.67). Overall, the main causes of death were malignancy (54.2%), cardiovascular (17.9%) and respiratory (9.2%) diseases. Main cancer causes of death were lung and bronchus cancer (37.2%), colorectum (15.0%) and stomach (9.0%) cancer. PC only accounted for 3.0% of all malignant causes of death (ranked 10th).Our study failed to demonstrate benefits of PC screening in terms of all-cause and PC-specific mortality after a median follow-up of 15 years. The limited sample size and the low long-term PC mortality observed in our setting were probably the most important factors to explain these results.

To analyze the outcomes, predictors of success and predictors of need for hospital admission in our series of patients who underwent ureteroscopy (URS) as a major outpatient surgery (MOS) procedure.We carried out a retrospective analysis of 402 patients who had undergone semi-rigid URS for ureteral calculi as a MOS procedure in our center between 2004 and 2012. Patients with previous DJ catheter were excluded. We classified the calculi according to their location (lumbar, pelvic, iliac), size (or1cm) and number (single or multiple). Follow-up was done by plain X-ray of the abdomen and ultrasound one month after surgery. The procedure was considered successful when patients were free from the treated calculi or had ureteral fragments3 mm one month after surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify the factors involved in success and hospitalization not being required.A total of 269 patients were included. The majority of the stones were single (92.2%),1 cm in size (76.6%), pelvic (62.1%), and left-sided (57.2%). 89.6% of the procedures were performed as MOS and 82.2% were considered to be successful. In the multivariate analysis, left-sided (p0.001) and pelvic location of the calculi (p=0,01) were found to be independent predictors for the success of the procedure In terms of hospital admission, the only independent predictor was the presence of intraoperative complications ( p=0.006).Left-sided and pelvic locations were the independent predictors for the success of the URS. A lack of intraoperative complications was the independent predictor for not requiring hospitalisation.

To evaluate the usefulness of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) nomogram for prediction of recurrence probability in our series of patients who have undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.397 patients underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 1986 and 2005. 165 patients were excluded:21 due to exitus in the immediate postoperative period, 32 due to previous radiation therapy, 6 due to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 5 due to inability to complete follow-up, 15 that did not undergo lymphadenectomy and 86 who were alive at the time of review with less than 5 years of follow-up. Patients were classified into recurrence risk groups: organ-confined tumors (pT0-2 pN0 ), extra-bladder involvement (pT3-4 pN0) and lymph node involvement (pN+). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Five-year recurrence-free survival by risk groups in our series was compared with the one estimated using the MSKCC nomogram using a ROC curve.We analyzed 232 patients. Follow-up in patients who died of cancer was 25 ± 25 months. For alive patients and those who died of other causes, follow-up was 120 ± 39 months. Pathology studies revealed 42.7% organ-confined tumors , 33.2% with extra-bladder involvement and 24.1% with lymph node involvement. The five-year recurrence free survival analysis according to the Kaplan-Meier method stratified by risk groups was: pT0-2 76%, pT3-4 51%, pN+ 31%. The probability of recurrence free survival according to the MSKCC nomogram in the same risk groups was: 85% ± 5%, 62% ± 10% and 25% ± 13%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.795 (95% CI 0.739-0.852) CONCLUSION: In our series, the MSKCC nomogram constitutes a useful tool for predicting 5-year cancer free survival in patients who undergo radical cystectomy.

The first publication of the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on Pain Management in Urology dates back to 2003. Since then, these guidelines have been revised several times with the most recent update achieved in 2010. Given the scope of the full text guidelines, condensing the entire document was no option in this context. This paper presents a summary of the section of pain management in prostate cancer, a topic considered of direct relevance for the practicing urologist. A multidisciplinary expert panel (urologists, anaesthesiologists, radio-oncologists) compiled this document based on a comprehensive consultation of the literature. Data were identified through a structured search, covering the time frame 2000 through 2010, using Medline and Embase as well as the Cochrane Library of systematic reviews. The scientific papers were weighed by the expert panel and a level of evidence (LE) assigned. Recommendations have been graded as a means to provide transparency between the underlying evidence and the guidance provided. Pain can occur in each stage of prostate cancer. It could be caused by the cancer itself (77%), be related to the cancer treatment (19%) or be unrelated to either (3%). The incidence of pain rises to 90% as patients enter the terminal phase of their illness. The physician’s task is to discover and treat the cause of pain and the pain itself, to determine whether or not the underlying cause is treatable, to provide pain relief and palliative care. These tasks more often than not require a multidisciplinary team. Pain management involves mainly pharmacotherapy, including direct anticancer therapy such as androgen deprivation and chemotherapy, as well as analgetics, for instance non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opioids. In case of local impairment due to the cancer or its metastases, primary treatments like surgery, radiotherapy or radionuclides can provide adequate pain relief. In addition, in palliative care, functional, psychosocial and spiritual support are essential components. The EAU guidelines on Pain Management in Urology are available in a number of different formats through the EAU Central Office and the EAU website ( http://www.uroweb.org/guidelines/online-guidelines/ ). The mainstay of pain management in prostate cancer is involvement of and collaboration between experts from a number of disciplines to be able to achieve a complete pain evaluation and to offer the full range of treatment options. Prostate cancer–related pain can, in most cases, be managed effectively, but it requires careful monitoring where a balance should be found between pain relief and potential side effects of treatment and quality of life (QoL).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of a 'one-stop' clinic in terms of proportion of discharges or inclusion in surgical waiting lists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients were referred from primary care facilities (population 220.646) and from different departments in the hospital. Eight senior urologists, two registered nurses and two nurse attendants participated in the experience. Prior to the start of the project, referral protocols had been agreed with the primary care physicians involved. Compliance with the protocols was periodically tested. Eventually 5537 first visits (January-December 2009) where evaluable. RESULTS: Overall, the 'one-stop' format proved feasible in 74.2% of the patients (4108/5537). Patients, who successfully used the 'one-stop' format, were significantly younger than those who required additional consultations (43 vs 50 years old, respectively, Student's t test < 0.001). For obvious reasons the 'one-stop' format was universally possible in male sterilization and penile phimosis patients. Similarly, the 'one-stop' policy was applied in most consultations due to male sexual dysfunction (75%) and urinary tract infection (73%). Other health problems, such as haematuria (62%) and renal colic (46%), required more than one visit so that care of the patient reverted to the traditional, outpatient care model. CONCLUSION: A 'one-stop' philosophy is feasible for a number of procedures in a urological outpatient clinic. The costs to implement such an approach would be limited to managerial expenditure.

To analyze the impact of season and weather parameters on serum PSA values in men without prostate cancer.Retrospective study including medical records from the Spanish arm of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC).prostate cancer diagnosis, PSA= 10 ng/ml, or PSA= 3 ng/ml and/or digital rectal examination abnormalities unless a negative prostate biopsy was provided. Univariate relationships between PSA value, season and several weather parameters were assessed. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of a PSA value= 3 ng/ml.A total of 2,147 men entered into the study. Median age and PSA level were 57 years and 0.9 ng/ml respectively. A non-significant trend to higher PSA levels was observed during autumn and winter. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified only maximum temperature (p0.001), minimum temperature (p = 0.001) and age (p0.001) as independent predictors of a PSA value= 3 ng/ml. Mean age-adjusted PSA levels at maximum temperatures of= 15 degrees C, 16-20 degrees C, 21-25 degrees C and=26 degrees C were 1.25, 1.20, 1.17 and 1.09 ng/ml respectively.PSA levels are slightly higher during cold weather conditions. Because of the small magnitude of this PSA increment we do not recommend to change biopsy indication based solely on climatic parameters.

The performance of tests outside prostate cancer screening trials (PSA contamination) may affect their statistical power. The present study addressed the extent of PSA contamination in the Spanish section of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) and its impact on biopsy performance and prostate cancer detection.Data linkage was performed to address screening-related interventions outside the study. Four databases were used: (1) Spanish ERSPC database (n=4278), (2) laboratory database with all PSA determinations (n=31,140), (3) database of 1608 prostate biopsies, and (4) records of all prostate cancers (n=819) diagnosed at our centre. PSA contamination, biopsy performance, and cancer detection rates were calculated.Median follow-up time was 6.6 yr. A total of 2201 PSA determinations were performed for 1253 men. Cumulative PSA contamination was 29.3% (17% in the control arm during the first 4 yr). A higher proportion of men undergoing biopsies was found in the screening arm (21.3% vs. 2.9% in the control arm, p0.0001). Similarly, higher cancer detection rates were found in the screening (4.7% vs. 1.2% in the control arm, p0.0001).In our experience, the PSA contamination rate has increased during the last years, but its impact on biopsy performance and cancer detection in the control arm of the trial is limited and not likely to compromise the statistical power of the ERSPC trial.

Purposes: To address prostate cancer (PCa) detection with respect to the number of biopsy sessions performed, to identify risk factors for detection after a negative biopsy, and to analyze the clinical characteristics of the detected tumors. Scope: Only biopsied men (sextant) were included. A total of 1011 biopsy sessions were carried out in 770 men; 172 underwent a second prostate biopsy and 51 a third biopsy. During the first biopsy round, 111 cancers were found (14.4%), 27 in the second (15.7%), and five during the third round (9.8%), P=0.156. Only high-grade PIN or atypia were identified as independent predictors or PCa detection in subsequent biopsies (P=0.008). A nonsignificant increase of clinically localized tumors, and a decrease of metastatic and poorly differentiated cases were found when more biopsy sessions were needed for detection. Conclusions: A nonsignificant trend to lower cancer detection rates and less clinical relevance of the tumors detected can be observed when more biopsy rounds are needed for detection.

To address detection rates and clinical features of the cancers detected with low prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels.In the context of a prostate cancer (PCa) screening program 1097 men attended to a new rescreen round. Sextant prostate biopsy was recommended when PSAor =3 ng/ml. We also recommended to undergo biopsy in the range 1.0-2.99 ng/ml when free to total (f/t) PSA ratioor =20%. Detection rate was calculated and clinical features of the cancers detected were studied.Mean age was 61.1 years. A total of 497 (45.3%) had total PSA1.0 ng/ml, 439 (40%) between 1.0 and 2.99 ng/ml, and 161 (14.7%)or =3.0 ng/ml. In the group with PSA between 1.0 and 2.99 ng/ml and f/t PSA ratioor =20% a total of 249 biopsies were indicated (159 performed, acceptance 63.9%), and 15 cancers detected (detection rate 9.4%). Biopsy was recommended to 72 men with PSA between 3.0 and 3.99 ng/ml, performed in 56 (77.8%), and 12 tumors detected (detection rate 21.4%). All cancers in the study were clinically localized. Only 4 out of 15 cancers with PSA in the range 1.0-2.99 ng/ml (26.7%) fulfilled clinical criteria of insignificant cancer. Two were poorly differentiated and found to have patologically extracapsular disease. None of the 12 patients with PCa and PSA between 3.0 and 3.99 ng/ml had poorly differentiated features and only one complied with criteria of insignificant cancer. One out of seven who underwent RRP was found to have extracapsular disease.Cancer detection in low PSA ranges is lower but still relevant. The detection of potentially aggresive cancers is still of concern.

Objectives To determine the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity, PSA slope, and PSA doubling time (PSADT) in men with positive biopsies, negative biopsies, and no biopsy indications 4 years after an initial screening; and to use this information to improve the test characteristics in the early detection of prostate cancer and provide normal values for these parameters in screened men with and without evidence of prostate cancer. Methods Within the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer, section Rotterdam, we identified 9575 men with a second determination of PSA 4 years after the initial screening. These men were divided into three groups: men with positive biopsies, negative biopsies, and no biopsy indications in the second round (PSA less than 3.0 ng/mL). The predictive values of PSA dynamics for detection of prostate cancer were calculated. Results The mean PSA velocity of men with prostate cancer was 0.62 ng/mL/yr versus 0.46 ng/mL/yr for men with a negative biopsy ( P = 0.001). The mean PSADT for men with prostate cancer was 5.1 years and for those with a negative biopsy it was 6.1 years ( P = 0.002). The PSADT for men with no indication for biopsy was 25.1 years. However, receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed only a moderate value for these test parameters in predicting biopsy outcome. Conclusions The mean values of PSA velocity, PSA slope, and PSADT in a rescreened population differed significantly between men with and without prostate cancer. However, in predicting the biopsy outcome, the PSA dynamics were of limited value.