A multicenter study of the detection rate for prostate cancer according to the serum prostate-specific antigen level in Korean men

Purpose: The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing in Korea, but compared with western counties, the incidence is relatively low. The detection rate of prostate cancer, according to the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, is reportedly different in Korean men, but this remains to be confirmed. We retrospectively reviewed the data of prostate biopsies, and evaluated the detection rate of prostate cancer from biopsies, according to the serum PSA level in Korean men. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the results of 2,422 Korean men who had undergone prostate biopsies at 12 medical centers. Prostate biopsies were performed in cases of high PSA levels, greater than 4ng/ml, or abnormal findings on digital rectal examination. Results: Of the 2,422 men, 39.7% had a positive biopsy. With PSA levels between 4 and 10ng/ml, the detection rate of prostate cancer was 15.9%. This rate was similar to that of the Japanese (15.8%), but quite different from that of American men (25%). With PSA levels above 10ng/ml, 59.5% of men had a positive biopsy. For PSA levels ≥4ng/ml and ≥10ng/ml, the detection rates were 42.1 and 59.5%, respectively. Conclusions: When the serum PSA levels were divided into 4 subdivisions (4.0-10.0, 10.0-20.0 and 20.0-100.0ng/ml and more than 100.0ng/ml), the detection rates were 15.9, 34.1, 66.2 and 93.8%, respectively.