Alterations in the levels of PSA over a period of time, popular by the term PSA velocity, is not a good predictor of prostate cancer and chances are that it might result in several unnecessary biopsies, as revealed by the researchers of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Quite some groups, such as the National Cancer Centre Network as well as the American Urological Association, gave their view those men having high levels of PSA velocity should get a biopsy done for prostate cancer, in spite of the absence of any other indicators of the existence of cancer.

According to Andrew Vickers, the Associate Attending Research Methodologist in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics as well as the chief author, they have not discovered any evidence for supporting the above mentioned recommendation by some groups that men having a high PSA velocity must get a biopsy done even though the other indications are missing. Those indicators might just be an elevated baseline PSA or maybe even a positive digital rectal exam (DRE).

He further said that if there has been a rapid increase in a person’s PSA over recent years, then there isn’t any reason for concern if his gross PSA level continues to be low.