Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing
What is it?
The prostate gland is a small, chestnut-shaped gland that surrounds the male urethra (the tube from the bladder to the opening in the penis) where it emerges from the bladder. The prostate produces a fluid that nourishes sperm and is ejaculated during orgasm. An antigen is a substance that stimulates the production of antibodies by the immune system. Antigens are found on the surface of all cells, but cancer cells release higher levels of antigens into the bloodstream.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced only by the prostate gland. The PSA blood test is one of the most effective ways to detect high levels of PSA in a man's bloodstream. High levels of PSA indicate prostate disorders ranging from
non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, called benign prostatic hyperplasia, to prostate cancer. PSA testing is also used to monitor the PSA levels of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer or benign prostatic
hyperplasia.
Who needs this procedure?
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the United State, and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among U.S. males. African American males have the highest rate of death from prostate cancer in the world. The American Cancer Society recommends that all men begin having yearly prostate
cancer screenings at age 50.
How do I prepare for this procedure?
Because the PSA test is a simple blood test, there is no special preparation for this
procedure.
How is this procedure performed?
PSA testing can be performed in your doctor's office or at an outpatient laboratory. A blood sample will be removed from your arm. This sample is then exposed to the antibody that attacks PSA, and the amount
of PSA is measured. The normal range is around 0 - 4 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter), but the range that is considered normal does increase with age. If you are age 50 or older, your routine physical exam should also include a digital rectal examination. By placing a finger in your rectum, your doctor can feel the surface of the prostate gland and check for any growths, enlargement, or tenderness. The combination of digital rectal examination and PSA testing can detect cancer at an early stage, when your treatment options are
best.
What can I expect after the procedure?
If your test is negative, that means your PSA levels fall within what is considered to be the normal range. If your doctor detected some enlargement of your prostate during a digital rectal exam, or you are having prostate-related symptoms, he or she may want to repeat the test. Even if your results are negative and you show no signs of any prostate-related disorder, you should have the test performed again the next year. If your results are positive, you have elevated PSA levels. Your doctor will perform additional tests to arrive at a diagnosis. These could include providing a urine specimen, ultrasound examination, and biopsy of the prostate
tissue.
Self-care tips
Regular checkups are extremely important. Rectal exams may embarrass you and be uncomfortable, but men over age 40 should have one every year. The rectal exam also screens for cancers of the colon and rectum. The American Cancer Society recommends that all men over age 50 also have their serum PSA level checked every year, especially if they are at high risk for prostate cancer.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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