Progress and problems in screening for carcinoma of the prostate

Carcinoma of the prostate is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in American men. This is due, in part, to the low percentage of cases that are diagnosed when the tumor is still curable. To improve early detection, routine screening has been performed using one or a combination of tests that included open prostate biopsy, serum acid phosphatase, the digital rectal exam, and transrectal sonography. These studies have been critically reviewed and the problems associated with prostate cancer screening have been discussed. No study has proven that routine screening reduces the mortality from prostate cancer. Furthermore, the positive predictive value and the sensitivity of each of these tests are too low for any of them to be useful for screening at the present time. To determine the value of screening, new studies are needed which should include a control group and an assessment of the disadvantages of screening as well as the potential benefits. Based on published reports, however, routine screening for prostate cancer using any test should be considered investigational at the present time.