Objective: To study the profile of patients with PSA level between 2.6 and 10.0 ng/ml and submitted to prostate biopsy, determining possible patterns that might lead to a reduction of unnecessary biopsies. Materials and Methods: In the period from 2007 to 2009, a cross-sectional study was developed with 1,282 patients with PSA levels between 2.6 and 10.0 ng/ml, and submitted to prostate biopsy. Results: Cancer prevalence was 28.6%. On average, the patients with positive biopsies were older, with higher PSA levels and density, and smaller prostate volume as compared with the patients with negative biopsies. In the analysis of PSA density, the cancer patients averaged 0.31 ng/ml/cc, while patients with negative results averaged 0.10 ng/ml/cc. Utilizing a cutoff value of 0.15 ng/ml/cc for PSA density as a cancer positiveness criterion, the authors obtained sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 70%. The cutoff value should be reduced to increase the sensitivity. With a cutoff value of 0.09 ng/ml/cc, sensitivity reached 84% (CI 95%: 80–87%), and specificity, 75% (CI 95%: 72–78%). Conclusion: The systematic use of PSA density as an indicator to proceed with the investigation of a patient with biopsy could substantially reduce the amount of unnecessary procedures.

Keywords: Prostate; Prostate biopsy; Prostate cancer; PSA density.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of postprocedural complications in patients submitted to transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy at the Unit of Intervention, Department of Imaging Diagnosis of Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Telephone interviews were conducted with 132 patients who had undergone transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy in the period from April 2011 to June 2011, according to the institution's protocol. RESULTS: Post-biopsy complications were categorized into two groups - minor and major complications, according to their need for further clinical evaluation. Complications were reported by 59 patients (61.8%), most of them (86.4%) with mild and self-limited symptoms, classified as minor complications. Eight patients (8.2%) had major complications, one of which required in-hospital treatment. Urinary retention was the major and most common complication. CONCLUSION: The present study has demonstrated a low prevalence of major complications after transrectal prostate biopsy.

Keywords: Prostate; Biopsy; Morbidity; Ultrasonography; Complications.