Using PSA to Detect Breast Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Romppanen J, Keskikuru R, Kataja V, Eskelinen M, Kosma V-M, Savolainen K, Uusitupa M, Mononen I
Primary Institution: Kuopio University Hospital
Hypothesis
Can serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) differentiate between breast cancer and benign breast disease in women?
Conclusion
Serum total PSA levels cannot distinguish between healthy women and those with breast cancer or benign breast disease.
Supporting Evidence
- Total PSA levels in benign breast disease and cancer patients are not statistically different from those of healthy controls.
- Total PSA levels decrease with age in normal controls and breast cancer patients but not in those with benign breast disease.
- Total PSA concentration decreases after menopause in healthy women, though not in patients with breast cancer or benign breast disease.
- Total PSA bore no relation to the histological type or grade of the tumour or the disease stage of the breast cancer patients.
- All mastopathy patients had normal total PSA, whereas elevation of the values was observed in 7% of fibroadenoma patients.
Takeaway
This study looked at a blood test called PSA to see if it could tell if women had breast cancer or not, but it turns out it can't.
Methodology
A controlled study analyzed serum samples from women with breast cancer, benign breast disease, and healthy controls.
Limitations
The study may not account for all variables affecting PSA levels.
Participant Demographics
284 women matched for age and long-term place of residence.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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