Background & Aims: The use of TURP in detecting prostate cancer in patients with elevated PSA levels and positive lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is controversial. In the present study we evaluated the role of TURP in detecting prostate cancer in these patients.

Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study a total of 40 patients with elevated PSA levels, positive LUTS and negative 10-12 core TRUS biopsies were evaluated. After a six month follow up, the patients with persistently elevated PSA levels and a second negative biopsy underwent TURP. All data including demographic, IPSS, DRE, PSA levels, TRUS biopsy and also TURP results were analyzed using T-Test.

Results: After evaluating TURP results, 14 patients (35%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer (4 of which developed high grade prostate cancer, 6 had Gleason score 3+4 and 4 had Gleason Score 2+3). According to their age, PSA, IPSS and prostate size, there were no significant differences between the groups with and without cancer.

Conclusions: TURP is beneficial in detecting prostate cancer in patients with previously negative TRUS biopsies who have positive LUTS and elevated PSA level.