PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. It is a protein found in prostate cells. It can be detected at a low level in the blood of all adult men.
This article discusses the blood test to measure the amount of PSA in a man's blood.
Alternative NamesProstate-specific antigen; prostate cancer screening test
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is usually needed.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a bruise.
Why the test is performedThis test is done to screen for prostate cancer. It is also used to monitor patients after prostate cancer treatment.
Several conditions besides cancer can cause the PSA level to rise, including:
Discuss with your doctor or health care provider whether a PSA test is appropriate for you.
Normal ValuesNormal values vary with age. Older men typically have slightly higher PSA measurements than younger men. Men with a larger prostate will also have higher PSA values.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanA high PSA level has been linked to an increased chance of having prostate cancer. However, a high PSA level does not mean that you definitely have prostate cancer. A high PSA level only identifies patients at higher risk of having prostate cancer. People at higher risk may need to have more tests.
A PSA of 4 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) is abnormally high for most men and may indicate the need for a prostate biopsy. For men under age 50, levels above 2 ng/mL may be too high. A significant rise from one year to the next may also indicate a higher risk of having prostate cancer.
Keep in mind that although PSA testing is an important tool for detecting prostate cancer, it is not foolproof.
Greater-than-normal PSA levels may indicate:
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Discuss the benefits and risks of testing with your doctor to determine whether screening is right for you.
The American Urologic Association, American Cancer Society, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommend that:
However, these guidelines are not recommended for everyone. Many health organizations, including the US Preventive Services Task Force, do not recommend routine PSA testing.
ReferencesAmerican Urological Association. Prostate-specific antigen best practice statement: 2009 update. April 2009. Accessed July 10, 2009.
Lin K, Lipsitz R, Miller T, Janakiraman S. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Benefits and harms of prostate-specific antigen screening for prostate cancer: an evidence update for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:192-199.
Lim LS, Sherin K; ACPM Prevention Practice Committee. Screening for prostate cancer in U.S. men ACPM position statement on preventive practice. Am J Prev Med. 2008;34:164-170.
Walsh PC, DeWeese TL, Eisenberger MA. Clinical practice. Localized prostate cancer. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:2696-2705.
Walter LC, Bertenthal D, Lindquist K, Konety BR. PSA screening among elderly men with limited life expectancies. JAMA. 2006;296:2336-2342.
PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. It is a protein produced by prostate cells.
This article discusses the blood test to measure the amount of PSA in a man's blood. The PSA test is done to help diagnose and follow prostate cancer in men.
Alternative NamesProstate-specific antigen; Prostate cancer screening test
How the test is performedA blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture
How to prepare for the testMake sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking. Some drugs may cause your PSA levels to be falsely low. These include finasteride, dutasteride, saw palmetto use, and antiandrogen drugs, such as flutamide, nilutamide, and bicalutamide.
No other special preparation is usually needed.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a bruise.
Why the test is performedReasons for a PSA test:
For information about prostate cancer screening, see the "Considerations" section below.
Normal ValuesPSA test results cannot diagnose prostate cancer. Only a prostate biopsy can diagnose this cancer.
Your doctor will look at your PSA results and must consider your age, your race, medicines you are taking, and many other things to decide whether your PSA is normal and whether you need more tests done.
Older men typically have slightly higher PSA levels than younger men. Commonly used ranges are as follows:
The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanA high PSA level has been linked to an increased chance of having prostate cancer.
In general, the following results need further follow-up and testing:
PSA testing is an important tool for detecting prostate cancer, but it is not foolproof. Other conditions can cause a rise in PSA, including
Your doctor will think about the following things when deciding on the next step:
People at higher risk may need to have more tests. Your doctor may recommend:
For someone who has been treated for prostate cancer, the PSA level can show if a treatment is working or if the cancer has come back. Often, PSA levels will begin to rise before there are any symptoms, sometimes months or years beforehand.
What the risks areVeins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Measuring PSA levels can increase the chance of finding prostate cancer when it is very early.
However, the value of PSA screening for prostate cancer is controversial. There is not a single answer that fits all men. Before having the test, it is best to discuss both the reasons to have and the reasons not to have a PSA test with your doctor.
Some questions you may ask your doctor when discussing having a PSA test include:
If a man chooses to be tested, the PSA is most often done every year to screen:
PSA testing is not recommended for screening men over age 75.
There are different recommendations about screening tests for prostate cancer. For more information, check with:
American Urological Association. Prostate-specific antigen best practice statement: 2009 update. April 2009. Accessed July 10, 2009.
Lin K, Lipsitz R, Miller T, Janakiraman S; U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Benefits and harms of prostate-specific antigen screening for prostate cancer: an evidence update for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:192-199.
Lim LS, Sherin K; ACPM Prevention Practice Committee. Screening for prostate cancer in U.S. men ACPM position statement on preventive practice. Am J Prev Med. 2008;34:164-170.
Walsh PC, DeWeese TL, Eisenberger MA. Clinical practice. Localized prostate cancer. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:2696-2705.
Walter LC, Bertenthal D, Lindquist K, Konety BR. PSA screening among elderly men with limited life expectancies. JAMA. 2006;296:2336-2342.
Wolf AM, Wender RC, Etzioni RB, Thompson IM, D'Amico AV, Volk RJ, et al. American Cancer Society guideline for the early detection of prostate cancer: update 2010. CA Cancer J Clin.2010;60:70-98.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/19/2011
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Chief of Urology, Cambridge Health Alliance, Visiting Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School.
he has psa
I have total psa 0.944 free psa 0.430 what will be the ratio f/t psa = 0.455 ratio. Is it correct please answer
PSA means prostate specific antigen.Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
You can't! The PSA was destroyed by Herbert in 2010! Now the PSA is shut.
it is the PSA blood test that tests the blood for the level of PSA
PSA Building was created in 1986.
PSA International was created in 2003.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
Who does psa grading in nyc
PSA Airlines was created in 1980.
PSA is a measure of how high your risk of prostate cancer is. A PSA of ten or above can be considered a high PSA, however this depends on the age of the patient. You can learn more about treatment for prostate cancer if you have a high PSA at the related link below.
PSA Rennes Plant was created in 1961.