Baseline Prostate Atrophy is Associated with Reduced Risk of Prostate Cancer in Men Undergoing Repeat Prostate Biopsy

J Urol. 2015 Nov;194(5):1241-6. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2015.05.103. Epub 2015 Jul 10.

Abstract

Purpose: We evaluated whether the presence and severity of baseline prostate atrophy in men with initial biopsy negative for prostate cancer was associated the risk of subsequent prostate cancer detection in a clinical trial with scheduled study mandated biopsies.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 3,084 men 50 to 75 years old with prostate specific antigen between 2.5 and 10 ng/ml, and a prior negative biopsy in the placebo arm of the REDUCE (Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events) study who completed at least 1 per-protocol biopsy. Prostate cancer (defined as present or absent) and prostate atrophy (graded as absent, mild or moderate/marked) was assessed by central pathology review. The association of baseline atrophy with positive 2 and 4-year repeat biopsies was evaluated with logistic regression, controlling for baseline covariates.

Results: Baseline prostate atrophy was detected in 2,143 men (70%) and graded as mild and moderate/marked in 1,843 (60%) and 300 (10%) baseline biopsies, respectively. Patients with atrophy were older and had a larger prostate, and more acute and chronic prostate inflammation. At 2-year biopsy the prostate cancer incidence was 17% (508 cases). Baseline atrophy was significantly associated with lower prostate cancer risk (univariable and multivariable OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.50-0.74 and OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.54-0.83, p <0.001, respectively) at the 2-year biopsy. These results were similar at the 4-year biopsy (univariable and multivariable OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.53-0.93 and OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53-0.97, p = 0.03, respectively). Relative to no atrophy the prostate cancer risk at the 2-year repeat biopsy was lower for mild atrophy (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.55-0.86) and moderate/marked atrophy (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34-0.76, each p <0.001).

Conclusions: Baseline prostate atrophy in men with a prostate biopsy negative for prostate cancer was independently associated with subsequent lower prostate cancer detection.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00056407.

Keywords: atrophy; biopsy; prostate; prostate-specific antigen; prostatic neoplasms.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Aged
  • Atrophy
  • Biopsy / methods*
  • Disease Progression
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Dutasteride / administration & dosage*
  • Endosonography / methods*
  • Humans
  • Image-Guided Biopsy / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging / methods*
  • Prostate / pathology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Rectum
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors
  • Dutasteride

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00056407