The deceptive acid phosphatases.

Determination of the prostatic acid phosphatase is, theoretically, a specific test for carcinoma of the prostate, but the present laboratory techniques have produced too many false positives and false negatives to be dependable. There may be inhibitors or enzymes that interfere with these tests. Until more exact enzymes are discovered, the present acid phosphatases should not be depended upon as a criterion for the type of surgical operation in carcinoma of the prostate, nor, without biopsy, should they be taken as an indication of prostatic malignant disease.