Is prostate cancer screening bad or good? Summary of a debate at the innovation in urology meeting, September 17-19, 2010, Milan, Italy.

摘要

With the recent publication of two randomized prostate cancer (PCa) screening trials, the ongoing discussion of whether prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for PCa should become part of general health care has increased again, driven by new arguments. The concept of early detection with better chances of cure and of reducing PCa-specific mortality seems to speak for itself and is convincing for many. But to be able to answer the question of whether population-based screening for PCa is good or bad, several important topics must be reviewed. Is there a rationale for screening for this disease? Is conclusive level 1 evidence (randomized controlled trials [RCTs]) available in favor of screening? If so, what are the outcomes and what are the possible pros and cons for introducing PCa screening into general health care?