Indications For Blood Analysis At PSA

For a valuable laboratory analysis of blood, which helps to diagnose the pathology of the prostate gland, is a test for PSA (prostate specific antigen).
PSA is a substance of protein nature, which is synthesized in the prostate. The high level of PSA in the blood may indicate pathology of the prostate, such as cancer, prostate or adenoma.

For most men the level of PSA in the blood is usually less than 4 ng / ml. Prostate cancer, for example, the PSA level is increasing, but prostate cancer may occur at low levels of PSA in the blood. According to recent data, in men with normal prostate during the examination and PSA levels below 4 ng / ml prostate cancer occurs in 15% of cases. In men with PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng / ml the likelihood of prostate cancer is 25%, and at the level of PSA above 10 this risk increases to 67%.
Even in the recent past the normal level of PSA in the blood were considered figures of less than 4 ng / ml. However, recent studies show that prostate cancer may occur in the normal level of PSA, so they take the upper limit of this indicator for 2,5 - 3 ng / ml However, scientists note that in younger patients with smaller prostate size and PSA level have fewer, so the increase in their PSA levels above 2.5 ng / ml should be a concern.

Note also that fact that the PSA level can be high and other diseases of the prostate, such as adenoma or prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). This again suggests that not only on the basis of this single test to judge one way or another pathology of the prostate.
Blood test for PSA is considered the method of diagnosis, allowing to identify the disease at an early stage. In the U.S., a blood test for PSA is carried out all men from 50 years of age, and men blacks and those who have family history of prostate cancer, this analysis is to begin with for 40 years.

Blood test for PSA has some evidence:

• For example, increasing the level of PSA in the blood may indicate a recurrence of cancer or metastasis him. After removal of the prostate (for cancer) in the blood of a patient should no longer be determined by PSA. Detection of the same substance in blood after surgical removal of the prostate means a recurrence of cancer.
• Blood test for PSA is carried out for suspected prostate cancer after other studies (eg, after digital rectal examination or ultrasound / TRUS).
• As screening study of men with prostate cancer. It should be remembered that in itself isolated blood test for PSA does not mean that a patient with prostate cancer, so after a positive outcome to pursue other methods.

Blood test for PSA may give false positive results if you recently performed any manipulation on the bladder, prostate or urethra:

• Cystoscopy
• Biopsy prostate
• In inflammatory diseases of the prostate or urinary tract
• After catheterization of the bladder.

In addition, before analysis of PSA is recommended to abstain from sexual intercourse for 2 days.

Normal results of the analysis of PSA

What does increased blood levels of PSA
Remember: a high PSA level does not necessarily indicate prostate cancer. This figure rises and other diseases of the prostate, as well as during certain states.
At the PSA level is affected by:

• Age. In a normal PSA level is increasing in men of advanced age, even if they do not have any pathology of the prostate.
• Receiving drugs. Some drugs can affect the level of PSA in the blood, such as drugs finasteride (Proscar, etc.) who are appointed for prostate adenoma.

Currently, there are some new methods for determining the level of PSA in the blood.
PSA in the blood is in two forms: bound and free. Bound PSA - a PSA, which is linked to blood proteins. The level of free PSA indicates a state of total PSA in the blood. Note that the level of free PSA is lower in men with prostate cancer. Studies show that if the PSA level is within 4 - 10 ng / ml, a low PSA level (less than 10%) means that the probability of prostate cancer is 50% and you need to conduct a biopsy of the prostate.
The rate of increase of PSA. This study shows the change in PSA levels over time. Even if the level of total PSA in the blood is not higher than 4 ng / ml, the high rate of increase of this indicator (more than 0.75 ng / ml per year) may indicate the possibility of prostate cancer.
Application of PSA after the detection of prostate cancer
Although a blood test for PSA is mainly used for screening studies of prostate cancer, it is also important in other situations:

• To select the optimal treatment. In addition to clinical trials, and stage of cancer in the PSA test used to determine the prevalence of tumors and to find appropriate treatment.
• To determine the effectiveness of the treatment. Definition of PSA after surgery or radiation therapy helps to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. Usually in the case of the effectiveness of the operation or course of radiation therapy PSA level is significantly reduced. The increased this figure speaks for the possibility of recurrence.