[An artificial neural network as a tool in risk evaluation of prostate cancer. Indication for biopsy with the PSA range of 2-20 microg/l]

Urologe A. 2003 Sep;42(9):1221-9. doi: 10.1007/s00120-003-0322-7. Epub 2003 Mar 22.
[Article in German]

Abstract

In this prospective study covering 5.5 years we evaluated the diagnostic power of an artificial neural network (ANN) based on PSA, %fPSA, and clinical data in the PSA range 2-20 microg/l as prostate biopsy indicator. A total of 944 patients with prostate cancer or benign hyperplasia (BPH) were analyzed. The calculation of the individual patient's risk before prostate biopsy was performed at the 90% and 95% specificity and sensitivity levels within the PSA ranges 2-4, 4.1-10, and 10.1-20 microg/l. For the low PSA range 2-4 microg/l, we recommend a first time biopsy at an ANN specificity level of 95%. For PSA range 4.1-10 microg/l, we recommend a first time biopsy at an ANN sensitivity level of 95%. A rebiopsy at the PSA range 10.1-20 micro g/l should be performed based on a 95% sensitivity level. The use of an ANN at PSA 2-20 microg/l enhances the specificity and sensitivity of %fPSA by 9-39%. The application of an ANN based on %fPSA and clinical data improves the diagnostic performance compared to %fPSA only.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Algorithms*
  • Biopsy / methods*
  • Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Net*
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / blood*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / blood*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk Assessment / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Prostate-Specific Antigen