Utility of Combination of Diagnostic Tests in Early Detection of Prostate Tumors in West Algerian Hospital

Abstract

In West of Algeria, incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) is growing and epidemiological data on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are contradictory. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) joins other tests, as digital rectal examination (DRE) and ultrasound, for better management of patient. This study aimed to assess the association of previously tests with PSA-assay in diagnosis of PCa and BPH, in West Algeria. A retrospective study was performed on two groups of 234 BPH and 56 PCa diagnosed between 2010-2012 at the urology department of the hospital in Saida. Patients underwent various diagnostic tests; DRE, ultrasound, PSA and pathological examination. BPH is more common than PCa and the most dominant age group was from 70 to 79 years. DRE was positive in 67 % of BPH and 63.3 % Pca. Ultrasound examination revealed that the prostatic structure was heterogeneous in 25.5 % of BPH and 92 % PCa. Total PSA (TPSA) was higher than the cut-off value of 4 ng / ml in 37% of BPH and 75 % PCa. Histological forms of Prostatic adenomyofibroma and prostatic adenocarcinoma were the most represented. This study shows that the combination of different tests is more efficient than using a test alone for a definitive diagnosis of PCa or BPH.