Inflammation and glandular proliferation in hyperplastic prostates: association with prostate specific antigen value.

A series of 73 cases of surgically resected prostatic tissue were histologically diagnosed as nodular hyperplasia, of which 10 (13.69%) cases had chronic prostatitis. The mean value of prostate specific antigen in prostatic hyperplasia without chronic prostatitis and prostatic hyperplasia with chronic prostatitis were 6.09 ng/ml and 13.61 ng/ml respectively. A statistically significant difference of prostate specific antigen level between these two groups were noted (P<.05). The degree of glandular proliferation in nodular hyperplasia was subjectively assessed and was recorded as mild, moderate or severe degree of proliferation. The mean value of prostate specific antigen were 3.28 ng/ml in patients with mild proliferation, 7.21 ng/ml in those with moderate proliferation and 14.78 ng/ml in those with severe proliferation. A significant association between prostate specific antigen level and degree of glandular proliferation was found (P<.05). Chronic prostatitis and glandular proliferation are the two important factors contributing to serum prostate specific antigen elevation in hyperplastic prostates.