Observations on the early detection of prostate cancer from the American Cancer Society National Prostate Cancer...

The American Cancer Society National Prostate Cancer Detection Project (ACS-NPCDP) was established in 1987. The experience of the ACS-NPCDP demonstrates the yield and impact of periodic examinations for the early detection of prostate cancer.

A cohort of 2999 well men ages 55-70 years was tested annually at 10 clinical centers by prostate specific antigen (PSA), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), and digital rectal examination (DRE). Biopsies were performed on men with suspicious findings. Pathologic findings were reviewed. The initial study outcomes were the detection yield of multimodality testing and the comparative sensitivity and specificity of the different tests employed. Longer term outcomes included patient quality of life and survival.

The cancer detection rate declined significantly across the years of intervention. DRE had lower sensitivity than TRUS or PSA, particularly in later years of follow-up. The specificity of TRUS was lower than that of DRE. Fewer than 9% of the cancers detected in this study were clinically advanced at the time of diagnosis. Ninety-four percent of patients in whom cancer was detected are alive after an average follow-up of 54 months. In one case, death occurred after surgery. Two deaths were attributed to prostate cancer, and eleven other deaths were unrelated to prostate cancer or its treatment.

Results of the ACS-NPCDP indicate that a combined-modality approach to prostate cancer detection yields high levels of early detection with infrequent adverse outcomes. Continued follow-up is required to evaluate long term morbidity and mortality.