Objective:To evaluate the application of chromogranin A(CgA) as a marker in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Methods:Serum CgA and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were detected by immunoradiometric essay in 27 cases of prostatic carcinoma

27 cases of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)and 5 cases of healthy subjects. Results:Serum CgA(98.7±69.42) in patients with prostatic carcinoma was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects(32.68±26.58) and in patient with BPH(44.7±40.86)(P<0.05)

and it increased with escalation of clinical stage .Serum CgA at D stage was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects and patient at B and C stage of prostate cancer(P<0.01).The combined assay of serum PSA and CgA could raise the detection rate of prostate cancer .The sensitivity of parallel trials reached 85.2% and the specificity of serial trials reached 96%. Conclusions:The determination of serum levels of CgA is useful in the diagnosis of prostatic cancer

especially for patients who are PSA negative or have distant metastasis .