[Early detection of prostate cancer-individualized, risk-adapted and successful].

Abstract

Background: Population-based screening for prostate cancer (PC) is still controversially discussed. Furthermore, an organized, risk-adapted screening program is already being called for across Europe. Although large randomized controlled trials have shown that prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening can significantly reduce PC-specific mortality, all known screening strategies still frequently lead to overdiagnosis and consecutively to overtreatment of clinically insignificant PC.

Objective: This review article presents the current evidence regarding PC screening.

Results: The current German early detection program, which is based on the annually recommended digital rectal examination (DRE), lacks specificity and sensitivity. In Germany, an opportunistic PSA screening is currently being carried out, which is no longer recommended due to an unfavorable benefit-risk ratio. Since 2022, the European Commission has been calling for the development of organized, risk-adapted screening strategies that combine the PSA test with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The integration of MRI improves the detection of clinically relevant PC and reduces the overdiagnosis of low-risk cancers. In the future, an algorithm for early detection of PC needs to be developed, which, in an organized and personalized screening, combines the PSA test with MRI and possibly genetic markers.

Conclusion: The early detection of prostate cancer should be organized at the population level and integrated into personalized, evidence-based screening strategies.