Early Diagnosis of Carcinoma of the Prostate: Periodic Rectal Examination Is Recommended and Biopsy of Any Palpably Suspicious Area

The fact that 14,000 men died in 1962 from prostatic carcinoma again emphasizes the need for yearly rectal examinations of all men over the age of 40. Prostatic cancer produces symptoms only in the advanced stage. Detection of an early, clinically manifest, nodule in the prostate can best be accomplished by periodic rectal examination and biopsy of any palpably suspicious area. Surgical procedures cannot replace careful rectal palpation of the prostate as a screening technique. The term "early carcinoma of the prostate" should be reserved for those prostatic neoplasms which are palpable and are limited to the prostate. An overly aggressive attitude in searching for microscopic foci of prostatic carcinoma in a clinically latent phase by surgical screening procedures is not warranted.