Assays for complexed prostate-specific antigen and other advances in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

This review discusses advances in the area of serum and tissue markers for prostate cancer. A recently developed assay for complexed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been found to have better specificity than that afforded by assay of total PSA. Researchers in Austria have found that lowering the PSA cutoff point for a diagnosis of prostate cancer resulted in a significant increase in identifying men with cancer at a favorable pathologic stage. Difficulties in pathologic interpretation of tissue specimens can result in both under- and over-diagnosis of prostate cancer. When in doubt, referral to a pathologist who specializes in prostate cancer is warranted. Epidermal growth factor receptor is emerging as an important therapeutic approach not only to prostate cancer but also to breast and colon cancers.