[Diagnosis of prostate cancer in urination disorders in urological practice: current status and future developments]

This paper presents the current diagnostics of patients with prostate related problems (lower urinary tract symptoms) who visit the urology clinic. The diagnostic triad for prostate cancer detection is presented, consisting of a serum Prostate-Specific Antigen test, a digital rectal examination to palpate the prostate, and transrectal ultrasound of the prostate to visualise internal structures and guide the urologist in taking biopsies. The results of the tests for a biopsied population of 232 patients illustrate the shortcomings of the individual tests in predicting the presence of a malignancy. Biopsies are needed to prove or rule out prostate cancer in case of a suspicion. Future developments in early detection of prostate cancer are directed to improve the clinical use of the current diagnostic triad, and to identify new diagnostic tools.