Effect of transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate on serum prostate specific antigen concentration

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TUVP) on serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five men (mean age 61.7 years) with symptoms of prostatism underwent TUVP. Serum PSA levels were determined before any prostatic manipulation, and again at 1 and 24 h after TUVP. In the first 6 weeks after TUVP, serum PSA was measured every week. Prostatic size was measured by transrectal ultrasonography before and again at 6 weeks after TUVP. RESULTS: The mean serum PSA concentration was significantly higher at 1 and 24 h after TUVP (P<0.001) than before. The PSA level returned to less than the value before TUVP at 2, 3 and 4 weeks afterwards in eight (32%), 13 (52%) and 20 (80%) patients, respectively; five (20%) patients reached the baseline value 6 weeks after TUVP. The mean reduction in prostatic volume 6 weeks after TUVP was 42% and the reduction in tissue volume was significantly correlated with the decrease in serum PSA concentration at 6 weeks (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: TUVP increases serum PSA levels, the transient elevation persisting for up to 6 weeks but then declining to a stable, low PSA concentration. Therefore, it is important to wait at least 6 weeks to obtain an accurate and meaningful serum PSA level after TUVP.