Prostatic tumour markers in BPH and prostate cancer.

The blood levels of acid phosphatase (AP), prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) in 80 cases of begin prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) patients and 22 cases of prostate cancer patients were studied. It was shown that the average levels of AP, PAP and PSA in BPH patients were 4.06 U/L, 1.27 U/L and 7.45 ng/ml. respectively, while those in prostate cancer patients were 5.09 U/L, 1.63 U/L and 62.63 ng/ml. respectively. In a comparison between the two groups of patients, the levels of AP and PAP were not found to be significantly different (p > 0.05), whereas in the case of PSA there was a significant difference (p < 0.005). Therefore, although AP and PAP cannot be used to differentiate between BPH and prostate cancer, PSA could be utilized However, no exact level of PSA was observed which would allow differentiation between the groups because although the PSA levels in 64 per cent of the BPH patients were higher than normal none were over 40 ng/ml.; those in 14 per cent of prostate cancer were normal. There was correlation between PSA level and adenoma tissue weight, from TUR-P, with an average value of 0.35 ng/ml. per 1 gram of tissue. It is import to note that in a patient who has a PSA level of over 40 ng/ml., or a PSA level that has no correlation to the weight of the prostate, there is a high possibility of prostate cancer. Therefore, a pathological tissue examination should be approved for this patient.