THE ROLE OF THE REVERSE-TRANSCRIPTASE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION ASSAYFOR PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN IN THE SELECTION OF PATIENTS FOR RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

Prostate cells present in the peripheral circulation can be detected u sing an enhanced reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-P CR) for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay. In one study, preoperat ive enhanced RT-PCR for PSA status was a significant predictor of surg ical pathology and postoperative biomechanical recurrence. The use of RT-PCR may enhance the urologist's ability to stage potential candidat es for radical prostatectomy, as the assay is a more sensitive and spe cific predictor of microscopic extracapsular extension than convention al staging modalities. This highly adaptable assay also may have roles in screening for recurrence and in staging other solid tumors.