Acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and prostate-specific antigen--usefulness in the diagnosis of metastatic disease and follow-up.

PSA and PAP are effective immunohistologic markers for prostatic cancer metastases. PSA seems to be more sensitive than PAP for diagnosing metastatic prostatic cancer. Simultaneous determination of PSA and PAP yields an additive clinical value in diagnosing and follow-up of prostatic cancer. The prognostic reliability for disease progression (recurrence and treatment response) seems to be PSA greater than PAP greater than AcidP greater than Alkal. P.