BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the single most important tumor marker in early detection and monitoring of prostate cancer (CaP). However, routine analysis of serum PSA concentrations does not allow differentiation between CaP and prostatic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of the serum-to-urinary PSA ratio in a clinical setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective clinical study, we determined serum and urine PSA concentrations in 48 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 57 patients with histologically confirmed CaP. RESULTS: The serum-to-urinary PSA ratio is able to discriminate BPH from CaP. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of the serum-to-urinary PSA ratio enhances the specificity of PSA in screening for CaP and monitoring of patients with CaP under androgen deprivation therapy.
BACKGROUND:Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the single most important tumor marker in early detection and monitoring of prostate cancer (CaP). However, routine analysis of serum PSA concentrations does not allow differentiation between CaP and prostatic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of the serum-to-urinary PSA ratio in a clinical setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective clinical study, we determined serum and urine PSA concentrations in 48 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 57 patients with histologically confirmed CaP. RESULTS: The serum-to-urinary PSA ratio is able to discriminate BPH from CaP. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of the serum-to-urinary PSA ratio enhances the specificity of PSA in screening for CaP and monitoring of patients with CaP under androgen deprivation therapy.