Early Detection of Prostate Cancer: Immunoassay for Serum Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Tumor Marker

Background: Serum tumor markers are widely used clinically for monitoring response to therapy and detecting cancer recurrence. However, only a limited number of them have been effectively used for the early detection of cancer.

Objective: To review serum tumor markers used clinically, for the early detection of prostate cancer.

Methods: Literature review of serum tumor marker that have been widely accepted for the early detection of prostate cancer.

Results: In Nigeria only prostate specific antigen (PSA) has been clinically used for the early detection of prostate cancer. The analytical and clinical issues linked to its use were discussed.

Conclusion: Few serum tumor markers have been used effectively for the early detection of cancer, mainly due to their limited diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. PSA is the only tissue-specific marker identified, but it is not specific for prostate cancer. Various approaches have been developed to improve the clinical performance of PSA for the early detection of prostate cancer.