title: [PSA doubling time and method of calculation].
abstract: Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is currently the best marker for prostate cancer, although it is not very specific for this disease. The use of the PSA kinetic, in addition to its absolute value, is theoretically very attractive in a large number of clinical situations. Based on a review of the literature, the authors report the various methods used to study this kinetic, with particular emphasis on the most reliable method: the PSA doubling time. After describing the definitions and the methods used to calculate this parameter, the authors discuss the various clinical situations in which it could be useful: surveillance of prostatic tumours after the initial diagnosis in high-risk patients or patients refusing treatment, prognostic factor before curative treatment, evaluation of the efficacy of curative treatment, prognostic factor of tumour aggressiveness at the time of biochemical recurrence after curative treatment or during endocrine therapy.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Urologie, Hôpital de Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France. alain.ruffion@chu-lyon.fr
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruffion
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Rebillard
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grima
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000097:blood*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen