A commentary, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, pointed out that while the rate of change of prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, levels may correspond with prostate cancer survival, the PSA velocity test is more useful after diagnosis, rather than as a screening tool.

Ruth Etzioni of the Hutchinson Center and colleagues reviewed several recent articles on PSA velocity. No studies have addressed the costs and benefits of using PSA velocity for prostate cancer screening, the researchers find.

One of the main goals of the commentary has been to reconcile inconsistencies across studies by highlighting features of study design and potential sources of bias that might explain why different types of studies have produced differing results, Etzioni said.

The researchers point out PSA velocity has been the subject of much research and debate. PSA velocity was proposed for use in men with moderately elevated PSA levels in order to decrease the number of unnecessary biopsies. But often PSA velocity is being used in men with low PSA levels, the commentary said.