PSA, known as PSA antigen, is an enzyme produced by prostate cells whose concentration may indicate some prostate deterioration such as prostatitis, benign prostate hypertrophy, or prostate cancer. The PSA test is simple and painless and is done in the lab by taking a small blood sample.
In general, healthy men have total PSA values of less than 4 ng/ml, however, this value may be altered or increased slightly with age and by the laboratory from which the analysis was performed. indicates the presence of prostate cancer and more tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis.
- However.
- In the case of prostate cancer.
- The PSA value may also remain normal and.
- For this reason.
- If there is a cancer sample.
- It must be confirmed by other diagnostic tests such as rectal touch.
- MRI and biopsy.
As a general rule, when an individual has a total PSA value greater than 4. 0 ng/ml, it is recommended to repeat the test to confirm the value, in case further testing is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and identify the cause. . It houses more tests to evaluate the prostate.
In most cases, when the total PSA value is higher, the suspicion of prostate cancer is higher, and therefore, when the value is higher than 10 ng / ml, the chances of developing prostate cancer are 50 %. age, personal habits and laboratory where the test is performed In general, the reference values for PSA are:
However, in some cases where the person has a PSA of 2 ng / ml and digital rectal nodules, there is a higher risk of developing prostate cancer than the person who has only the highest value without rectal changes.
In order to really know if there is a change in the prostate, the doctor recommends achieving the free PSA dose and the relationship between total PSA and total PSA, which is critical for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Generally, when the patient has a total PSA between 2. 0 and 10 ng /ml, the urologist indicates the conduct of the free PSA test, as there is a high probability that the individual will develop prostate carcinoma. PSA, there is a relationship between these results to check if the change in the prostate is benign or malignant, and in these cases it is recommended to perform a prostate biopsy.
When the relationship between free and total PSA is greater than 20%, this indicates that the increase in the prostate is benign and could indicate that benign diseases, such as benign enlargement of the prostate or urinary tract infection, are developing.
However, when this ratio is less than 20%, as the presence of prostate cancer usually indicates, a prostate biopsy is recommended to confirm the diagnosis and initiate treatment, which in some cases is done by radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
The urologist could also evaluate the density and speed of PSA, although at higher PSA density, increased likelihood of prostate cancer, and if the PSA rate is greater than 0. 75 ng/ml per year, increase it very quickly and it is critical to re-test, which may indicate cancer.
Several situations can lead to an increase in psa value, such as
In addition to the aforementioned causes, increasing the age, cycles and ingestion of certain medications such as testosterone can lead to an increase in PSA.
PSA blood test is usually indicated by the urologist for urinary disorders, during the treatment of prostate cancer, after prostate surgery, and in all men for less than a year 45 years.