PSA (PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN) -TOTAL
The PSA test and digital rectal exam (DRE) may be used to screen both asymptomatic and symptomatic men for prostate cancer. PSA is a protein produced primarily by cells in the prostate and most of the PSA is released into semen, but small amounts of it are also released into the blood. PSA exists in two forms in the blood: free (not bound) and complexed (cPSA, bound to other proteins). Lab tests can measure free PSA or total PSA (bound plus unbound).Some organizations, such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, feel that the harms associated with over-diagnosis and over-treatment outweigh the potential benefits and advise against using PSA to screen for prostate cancer in healthy men of any age. The American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association recommend that men discuss the advantages and disadvantages of PSA-based screening for prostate cancer with their healthcare provider before making an informed decision about whether to be screened or not.While elevated PSA levels are associated with cancer, they may be caused by other conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and inflammation of the prostate. An elevated PSA may be followed by a biopsy, which has risk of complications such as pain, fever, blood in the urine, or urinary tract infection. (Read the article on Anatomic Pathology for more information about biopsies.)
^Clinical Use
* An aid in the early detection of Prostate cancer when used in conjunction withDigital rectal examination in males more than 50 years of age and in those with two or more affected first degree relatives.
* Followup and management of Prostate cancer patients
* Detect metastatic or persistent disease in patients following surgical or medical treatment of Prostate cancer
^Increased Levels
* Prostate cancer
* Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
* Prostatitis
* Genitourinary infections
