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 The Prostate
Prostate Gland Enlargement
PSA Test
Prostate Cancer
PSA Test
(Prostate-Specific Antigen Test)
The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test was developed and
approved by the FDA in 1986. It is a test that is designed to
help detect prostate cancer, and to monitor men with a history
of prostate cancer for any reoccurrence of the disease.
PSA is an enzyme that produced by cells in the
prostate gland. It acts to assist
in liquefying semen by dissolving the proteins that promote
clumping in semen. A doctor can identify a number of problems
relating to the prostate by testing the amount of PSA
circulating in the bloodstream. This test is performed using a
small blood sample taken from the arm.
PSA Levels
Small amounts of PSA in the bloodstream (from 0-4.0 nanograms
per milliliter) is considered normal. What is considered
normal changes in relation to a man's age, as PSA levels tend
to climb a small amount as men get older.
Prostate PSA levels higher than 4.0 can indicate a problem,
including prostate inflammation (prostatitis), infection,
prostate gland
enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or cancer.
Approximately 30% of men showing elevated PSA levels have
cancer. It is important to note that some men without any
prostate problems show PSA levels higher than normal, and 20%
of prostate cancers develop while PSA levels are in the
'normal' range.
Heightened PSA levels do not indicate
prostate cancer on their own
and cannot distinguish between benign prostate conditions and
cancer. High PSA levels will indicate to a physician that
further tests should be administered to detect other signs of
prostate cancer.
PSA Testing
Professionals have varying opinions on the value of PSA
testing. The test itself is not perfect and carries with it
some risks and benefits.
Benefits of the PSA test
include:
-
detecting prostate cancer long
before any symptoms present themselves
-
early detection makes treating
the cancer easier
-
the test has contributed to a
significant reduction in prostate cancer deaths
Some negatives of the PSA
test include:
-
in approximately 20% of cases,
PSA tests show 'normal' PSA levels in men with early prostate
cancer (false-positive)
-
the test itself does not
distinguish between prostate cancer and other prostate
problems
-
2 out of 3 of those with
elevated levels of PSA do not have prostate cancer, causing
undue worry
-
men over the age of 75 do not
benefit from the test, as treating prostate cancer in men past
age 75 is unlikely to lengthen lifespan
The FDA approved the PSA test to
monitor patients with a history of prostate cancer. A rise in
PSA levels for these patients can indicate a reoccurrence of
the cancer, indicating a biochemical relapse that can precede
any symptoms of relapse by months and even years. A single
rise in PSA levels for these patients doesn't guarantee a
recurrence of prostate cancer, and doctor's will often perform
several tests to detect a trend of rising PSA measurements.
Doctors disagree about when and how frequently PSA testing
should be carried out. Annual PSA screening is generally
recommended for men past the age of 50; however, patients with
a family history of prostate problems may be advised to begin
screening at age 40-45. There are doctors who advise against
routine screening at all, citing the potential risks involved.
The Digital Urology Channel
offers
information about the prostate and prostate gland diseases
and conditions. The
Prostate
Cancer Coalition website is an excellent resource for
those managing the disease. |
