According to UK researchers, development of prostate cancer is found in nearly half of men whose extended core needle prostatic biopsies reveal isolated high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN).

There have been limited studies on HGPIN and risk of subsequent diagnosis of prostate cancer in the UK population, told lead investigator Dr. Paras B. Singh. Our study shows that it carries a significant risk that warrants careful prostate specific antigen PSA follow-up and possible repeat prostate biopsies.

In a retrospectively study Dr. Singh of Lancaster University, Bailrigg, and team investigated data on 2,192 men who had undergone prostate biopsy.

The results showed 88 cases of isolated HGPIN and 67 of these patients underwent 1 or more repeat biopsies. Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in the latter group were 28 (48%).

The subsequent prostate cancer detection was neither associated with the number of cores taken on the initial prostate biopsy nor the number of cores with HGPIN on the first biopsy. However, older patients with higher mean PSA at the first set of prostate biopsies subsequently had such a diagnosis.

The researchers after going through the results suggested delaying of the first repeat biopsy in patients with PSA in the low range. They also told that shorter intervals are appropriate for those with PSA values in the intermediate and higher ranges.