PSA

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Blood test

Prostate-specific antigen; Prostate cancer screening test 

Normal values vary with age. Older men typically have slightly higher PSA measurements than younger men. African-Americans normally have slightly higher values than white men.

A PSA of 4 ng/ml is abnormally high for most men and may indicate the need for further evaluation with a prostate biopsy. Keep in mind that although PSA testing is an important tool for detecting prostate cancer, it is not foolproof.

Also, a high PSA level does not confirm the presence of cancer. It only identifies patients at higher risk of having prostate cancer. These patients at higher risk may require further diagnostic testing such as a prostate biopsy.

Note: ng/ml = nanograms per milliliter

Greater-than-normal levels may indicate:

• Benign prostatic hypertrophy
• Prostate cancer
• Prostatitis
• Prostate infarction
• Urinary tract infection
• Recent urinary catheterization
• Recent urinary tract operation

Review Date: 11/23/2005
Reviewed By: David R. Knowles, M.D., Advanced Urologic Surgeons, Mt. Vernon, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.