Prostate-specific antigen density and age-specific prostate-specific antigen values: the solution of prostate cancer screening?

Abstract

The results of 225 systematic prostate biopsies from 1992 to 1993 were evaluated retrospectively. The parameters prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density and age-specific PSA values were compared with digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasound, and PSA as single parameters and possible combinations. The PSA density proved to have the highest specificity of all single parameters, but the sensitivity was low. Age-specific PSA values are offering a good compromise of sensitivity and specificity as compared with fixed cutoff levels. Since there is no sufficient screening parameter up to now, a combination of all parameters is recommended for screening of early prostate cancer.