AGE-SPECIFIC REFERENCE RANGES FOR SERUM PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN

Limitations in sensitivity and specificity have prevented prostate-spe cific antigen (PSA) from becoming the ideal tumor marker for the diagn osis of early, curable prostate cancer. The recent demonstration of a direct correlation between PSA and patient age has resulted in age-spe cific reference ranges that enhance the sensitivity of PSA in younger men, while improving the specificity of PSA in older men. Age-specific reference ranges also have been determined for Japanese and African-A merican men. Finally, the effect of age on the different molecular for ms of PSA has been established. Taken together, this information defin itely has enhanced the diagnostic utility of PSA in the detection of p rostate cancer.