Negative influence of changing biopsy practice patterns on the predictive value of prostate-specific antigen for cancer detection on prostate biopsy.

Background: A correlation between prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and positive prostate biopsy rate was established in an era when biopsy practice patterns were different from what they are today. We evaluated if changes in biopsy practice patterns have affected the ability of PSA to predict cancer detection on prostate biopsy in the current era.

Methods: Of 3634 prostate biopsies performed from 1993-2005, 1607 met criteria for analysis.