Serum prostate specific antigen levels in non-specific granulomatous prostatitis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with granulomatous prostatitis, an inflammatory condition that can clinically mimic malignancy.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The study comprised 10 consecutive patients (age range 53-80 years) with histologically-documented granulomatous prostatitis and who had serum PSA levels recorded before and after diagnosis.

RESULTS

PSA levels in six of the patients were normal (< 4.0 ng/mL) at diagnosis. The other four had slightly elevated PSA levels, with three being between 4.0 and 6.0 ng/mL and the other 10.1 ng/mL. In six of the patients, there was a dramatic decrease (> 40%) in PSA level within 6-12 months after the histological documentation of granulomatous prostatitis. At the final follow-up, all 10 patients had normal PSA levels.

CONCLUSION

Granulomatous prostatitis may cause a relatively mild and transient increase in serum PSA level which resolves when the inflammation subsides.