The Predictive Value of Prostatic Acid Phosphatase as a Screening Test for Prostatic Cancer

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Abstract
AN editorial in the Journal 1 brought widespread attention to a possible new role for serum acid phosphatase determinations in the detection of prostatic cancer. Citing data from an accompanying article by Foti and his co-workers, 2 the editorialist observed, "The clear implication of the accompanying report is that mass screening on the basis of a blood test alone can reverse this gloomy experience" (i.e., of fatal delays in diagnosis). Since then, refinements of the radioimmunoassay technique, with consequent improvement in its sensitivity and specificity, have been reported.3 4 5 6 Different, more accurate immunologic techniques are currently being developed.7 8 9 Researchers at the National Prostatic . . .