The changing scenario in diagnosing prostate cancer

Fifty patients were evaluated for serum total PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen), free PSA (f-PSA), free/total PSA ratio (f/t PSA ratio) and TPS(TM) (Tissue Polypeptide Specific Antigen). Fifty patients were clinically evaluated and categorized into BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy) and CaP (carcinoma prostate) with twenty-five in each category before the serological examination. Serum total PSA concentration is elevated in 80% of BPH cases while it was elevated in all cases of CaP. With total PSA>10ng/mL, f/t PSA ratio was not applicable. For TPS(TM), a cell proliferation marker these values were 32% and 92% respectively. The advanced cases of CaP were reflected by the pronounced elevations of PSA and TPS(tM) while f/t PSA ratio was much below the cut-off limit (cut-off limit=0.14). The data suggest that whentotal PSA concentration <10ng/mL, f/t PSA ratio plays a very important role in discriminating BPH and CaP. However, TPS(TM) can be used as a valuable adjunct in diagnosis and follow-up of prostate cancer patients, especially in differentiating benign from malignant cases.