Prostate-specific antigen coordinated with digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasonography in the detection of prostate cancer.

In a patient population, coordinated use of digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen can alert the physician as to the possible existence of prostate cancer. If both are used as first-line studies, abnormality of either can then direct the need for further study by transrectal ultrasonography and, in selected instances, prostatic biopsy. Such sequential use of these tests in a programmed manner results in an increased level of cancer detection as compared with use of the digital rectal examination alone.