[Early detection of prostate cancer: a summary of the past 10 years]

Early detection of prostate cancer remains a controversial subject for the general practitioner. In fact, prostate cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed non skin tumor in men with a proportion of 15 %. However, while prostate specific antigen has massively contributed to its identification at a curable stage for 25 years, it has simultaneously appeared essential not to overtreat a cancer with a significant proportion of indolent tumors. In parallel with this controversial background, the prospective randomized study of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer, and in particular its Swedish subpopulation, has validated during the last decade the benefit of at least early detection. However, due to the variety of treatment options and the potential side effects of some of them, it is recommended that this detection be performed only in properly informed patients.