[Prostate-specific antigen as a prostatic tumor marker. Analysis of results in 206 patients]

The results of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) determinations in 206 patients studied as a part of routine prostatic evaluation are presented. In 109 cases histologic evaluation was performed and a clinico-histologic correlation was made in all the 109 patients. We found 57 cases with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 36 cases with prostatic adenocarcinoma (PADC), 15 patients with prostatitis; and 1 patient with a leiomyoma of the prostate. When the PSA value is between 0-10 ng/ml no differential diagnosis between BPH and PADC can be made because there are no significant differences in these values. But with results above 15 ng/ml the diagnosis of PADC is more evident. Patients with permanent vesical catheter because of acute retention presented high values of PSA and it is possible to misinterpret the results and make an incorrect diagnosis of PADC. PSA is a very useful procedure in the pre and post-operative control of patients with radical prostatectomy. We consider it to be a useful tool in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer of the prostate and used together with the other diagnostic tests available.