Prostatic acid phosphatase: clinical utility in detection, assessment, and monitoring carcinoma of the prostate.

Prostatic carcinoma is a significant cause of male cancer death. The majority of cases present as incurable disease. The measurement of acid phosphatase has served to confirm clinically suspected disease and staging. The immunochemical methods have increased clinical sensitivity and specificity in detecting curable occult or confined disease, but not significantly so as to warrant mass screening. Prostatic acid phosphatase remains a test for confirming clinical staging of prostatic carcinoma and a response factor to therapy at present.