In the last 10 years, the topic of prostate cancer has been increasingly prominent in the medical literature and publicized in the lay press. This is mainly due to the huge public health and economic issues that are raised by this disease, which is now more readily detectable. Much debate has been generated, and there is little consensus on any one issue. It is now the most common cause of noncutaneous cancer in American men with an estimated 317,000 new cases diagnosed in 1996.<sup>59 Parker S., Tong T., Bolden S. , e al. Cancer statistics, 1996 CA Cancer J Clin 1996 ;  46 : 5  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> This has risen by approximately 25% per year since 1992.<sup>59 Parker S., Tong T., Bolden S. , e al. Cancer statistics, 1996 CA Cancer J Clin 1996 ;  46 : 5  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Its annual death rate, exceeded only by that of lung cancer, is expected to total 41,400 in the United States in 1996. Clearly, it is a disease with which all medical practitioners should be familiar. This article reviews prostate cancer screening and provides an overview of the various treatment options available.