PSA is the abbreviation for prostate specific antigen. PSA is a protein and is produced primarily by the epithelial cells of the prostate glands and released into the seminal fluid. In the blood, PSA occurs in healthy men only in very small amounts. The PSA test is advisable from the age of 50 – unless there is already a family history of prostate cancer. If there is a family history of prostate cancer, testing is done as early as age 45 to determine the PSA level.
PSA test to determine PSA value.
Before the examination, one should not ride a bicycle or horseback and should abstain sexually for 24 hours. Following the PSA test, the primary care physician palpates the prostate via the anus from the rectum. The total PSA level (tPSA) should be less than 2.5 ng/ml serum. The PSA level usually increases with age, but should not exceed a limit of 4.0 ng/ml. Elevated PSA levels occur in:
- Prostate inflammation
- Prostate cancer
- After a biopsy of the prostate
- After a massage of the prostate
- After a partial prostate removal
Elevated PSA levels in prostate cancer.
If an elevated PSA value is detected, further diagnostic measures should be used to find out what disease might be underlying, because only a quarter of all men with a PSA value of 4 to 10 really have prostate cancer. The PSA value is becoming increasingly important as a test in cancer screening. Unfortunately, the PSA test as a routine check for cancer screening is not yet covered by statutory health insurance.
