Prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate specific antigen in liver disease.

Serum concentrations of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) were measured in 51 liver cirrhosis, 37 chronic active hepatitis (CAH) patients and 26 healthy individuals. Elevated PSA levels have been found in 2 of cirrhotic patients while no increase has been detected in CAH and controls. Serum PAP levels have been observed slightly increased in 2 patients with cirrhosis, 2 patients with CAH and 1 control case. Mean PSA and mean PAP values showed no significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). Serum PSA and PAP levels are reliable in diagnosing and monitoring prostate cancer in chronic liver patients and maintain their specificity in this situation.