PSA FOR EARLY DETECTION OF PROSTATIC-CARCINOMA

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) became a valuable tumor marker for prostatic carcinoma (PCa) in the last decade. Because of the fact tha t PSA is only a tissue-specific marker in the interpretation of PSA, t he age of the patient and the presence of benign prostatic hyperplasia and other disorders of the prostate have to be considered becasue of their influence on PSA serum values. In Germany more than 20 different test systems for determination of PSA are available. Since no interna tional standard for PSA exists, a high range of variation in PSA serum values is possible, if different test systems have been used. In vari ous studies it could be shown that the determination of PSA serum valu es is the most valuable single method far early detection of curable l ocalized PCa. However. the combination of PSA and digital rectal exami nation showed to be superior to PSA alone. Therefore for early detecti on of PCa both methods should be applied. The combination of PSA with transrectal ultrasound and the determination of PSA density cannot be recommended in a routine program.