Diagnosing prostate cancer: Getting to the core question

摘要

Diagnosing prostate cancer remains a distinct challenge for urologists. Due to the biological variability of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and its poor specificity (and poor sensitivity of digital rectal examination), too many men undergo unnecessary biopsy. We also have to contend with over diagnosis of insignificant cancer with resultant over treatment in many men. The potential harms of transrectal prostate biopsy are now better understood and may be increasing, particularly when one considers the increased incidence of complications from quinolone resistant infections.