Prostate specific antigen for early detection of prostate cancer: longitudinal study

摘要

STUDY QUESTION Does prostate specific antigen test attain validity standards required for screening? SUMMARY ANSWER No cut-off value for prostate specific antigen attained likelihood ratios formally required for a screening test, although prostate specific antigen concentrations below 1.0 ng/ml virtually ruled out a diagnosis of prostate cancer during follow-up.WHAT IS KNOWN AND WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS The performance of prostate specific antigen testing for early detection of prostate cancer is good overall. These data, in combination with data from recent screening trials, indicate that further biomarkers are needed before population based screening for prostate cancer should be introduced.