We have studied the clinical utility of a recently developed assay for a prostate specific protein (prostate-specific antigen). Histochemical demonstration of prostate-specific antigen has a higher sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma than does prostatic acid phosphatase. Similarly, measurement of prostate-specific antigen by immunoassay in serum is a more sensitive indicator of tumor stage and recurrence after therapy than prostatic acid phosphatase. More information is needed, however, regarding the variation in this protein with different therapeutic methods.
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