The accuracy of the rectal examination in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma.

BEFORE 1920 the only diagnostic test for prostate cancer was the digital rectal examination. If the prostate was nodular, irregular, or stone-hard, a presumptive diagnosis of cancer was made, to be confirmed by biopsy. Since then diagnostic procedures have increased in number, complexity, and expense. It can reasonably be asked whether the accuracy of these tests is better than that of digital rectal examination. Assessment of the accuracy (or efficiency) of a screening test involves several factors, including the sensitivity and specificity of the test and the prevalence of the suspected disease in the population tested. From these factors the . . .