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Screening for early detection of prostate cancer seems both necessary and possible but it remains to be proven that it can lower mortality from the disease. Until properly evaluated, the risks of screening at present do not justify either the cost or the potential benefit that could result. An increased awareness of the problems encountered by screening could lead to greater impetus around the world to design and implement the proper studies. the recent information about the outcome following conservative management means that the value of treatment must also be assessed since it is possible that the only tumors cured by radiation therapy or surgery are those that are not life threatening, whereas the most lethal tumors are not identified sufficiently early by the available screening tests to be cured. the increased incidence and mortality from prostate cancer should lead to increased pressure to answer the important questions as soon as possible.

The therapeutic management of early prostatic cancer is discussed with background of recent reports and trials. for an old patient with localized, well differentiated cancer deferred treatment can be the best alternative especially if he has significant cardiovascular disease. Advantages and disadvantages of the different local treatment methods (radical prostatectomy, external beam irradiation, interstitial irradiation) are discussed. the author concludes that present information does not permit any recommendations regarding the most effective treatment. the physician should carefully explain all the risks and benefits of each option and then help the patient decide which therapy he would be most willing to accept.

Rat, human, and mouse tissues were stained immunohistochemically using mono- and polyclonal androgen receptor antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies were raised in rats and used to stain human and mouse tissues; polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits and used to stain rat tissues. Frozen tissue sections were incubated with the appropriate androgen receptor antibody and staining was completed by the indirect avidin-biotin peroxidase method. A comprehensive survey of rat and mouse tissues was performed. Antibody staining was found exclusively in the nucleus of certain specific cell types, suggesting that the androgen receptor is a nuclear protein.All male sexual organs in the rat showed strong positive nuclear staining for androgen receptor. Weaker positive reactions were seen in kidney, liver, adrenal cortex and pituitary gland. Furthermore, positive staining for androgen receptor was exhibited in skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle cells, and central nervous tissue. Female reproductive organs also contained androgen receptor-positive cells. The spleen was found to be the only organ examined which did not stain for androgen receptor. The monoclonal antibody could also demonstrate androgen receptor-positive cells in a human prostatic cancer and in a prostate with benign hyperplasia. These data demonstrate the use of antibodies in revealing cellular/subcellular distribution of androgen receptor in target tissues.Journal of Endocrinology(1990) 126,17–25