Chapter 4 Tumor markers for prostate cancer

Abstract

This chapter discusses tumor markers for prostate cancer (PCa). The incidence and mortality of PCa are increasing at alarming rates because of an aging population. Early detection of PCa using clinically sensitive procedures and tumor markers (e.g., prostate-specific antigen [PSA]) is of prime importance. However, the choice of therapeutic interventions for PCa at the time of diagnosis is largely dependent on clinical and pathological staging and prediction of the degree of aggressiveness of the disease. The chapter reviews the currently existing diagnostic and prognostic markers for PCa. These markers include conventional protein markers, micro vessel density, neuroendocrine differentiation status, adhesion molecules, bone matrix degrading products (e.g., osteocalcin and ICPT), and molecule markers. Currently, only PSA is used clinically for the early diagnosis and monitoring of PCa. Although none of these potential prognostic markers are used for patient management, a few of them show great promise for further evaluation. Overcoming the shortcomings of each individual marker, a combination of the test results of multiple markers may prove to be much superior to any individual marker alone.