[Does rectal examination modify the blood level of specific prostatic antigen? A study of 40 cases].

Prostatic specific antigen has become an essential laboratory parameter in prostatic cancer; it may rise transiently after various manipulations of prostatic tissue. We decided to investigate a possible modification in PSA after rectal examination. The PSA level, studied before and after rectal examination in 40 patients, confirmed the almost constant rise in PSA after thorough rectal examination. The biokinetic features of PSA are also discussed as they are important to determine the time of PSA assay after a transient rise.