Age-specific reference ranges for serum prostate-specific antigen

Limitations in sensitivity and specificity have prevented prostate-specific antigen (PSA) from becoming the ideal tumor marker for the diagnosis of early, curable prostate cancer. The recent demonstration of a direct correlation between PSA and patient age has resulted in age-specific reference ranges that enhance the sensitivity of PSA in younger men, while improving the specificity of PSA in older men. Age-specific reference ranges also have been determined for Japanese and African-American men. Finally, the effect of age on the different molecular forms of PSA has been established. Taken together, this information definitely has enhanced the diagnostic utility of PSA in the detection of prostate cancer.