Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate how transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) affected the serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and to establish reference ranges of PSA in patients who have undergone TURP.
Methods: PSA was determined preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively in 190 patients who underwent TURP because of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Results: Mean PSA levels were reduced by 70%, from 6.0 to 1.9 ng/mL. Prostate volume was reduced by 58% from 63.3 to 26.5 cc, which is close to the reported normal volume in men without BPH. Ninety percent of the patients had a postoperative PSA value of less than 4 ng/mL and 98% less than 10 ng/mL.
Conclusions: After a complete TURP with a benign histopathologic specimen, PSA should be expected to be within the normal reference range, that is, less than 4 ng/mL.