Prostate Cancer

Traditional prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests measure total PSA, the sum of free PSA and protein-bound PSA. But a subcategory of free PSA called proPSA has proved in studies to be superior to PSA in discriminating cancer from benign conditions.... Full Answer

Pro-PSA is basically a different component of the PSA blood test and the different PSA variants. There’s a test for free PSA and total PSA, which is how much PSA is left in the body. Pro-PSA is a marker that is thought to be more specific for... Full Answer

Studies have found that up to 10 years before diagnosis, the men who developed prostate cancer showed significantly greater rates of change (prostate specific antigen, or PSA, velocity) in PSA levels than the men who remained cancer-free. By tracking... Full Answer

We need to understand the limitations of the PSA test for cancer, and realize that its a much better tool for diagnosing benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis. Both BPH and prostatitis affect many more men than prostate cancer. ... Full Answer

Testing for levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is widespread, but its ability to determine the aggressiveness of a prostate tumor is limited. However, one report finds that a man's PSA level at age 60 may accurately predict his risk of dying from... Full Answer

The PSA velocity (PSAV) test can indicate the presence of life-threatening prostate cancer at a curable state. PSAV has been shown to be highest for men who later died of prostate cancer. Research shows that PSA acceleration began 10-15 years before... Full Answer

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that measures the level of a protein called PSA, which is made by cells in the prostate. Elevated PSA levels may indicate the presence of cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) -- enlarged... Full Answer

Like mammograms and other cancer screening tests, there are potential harms associated with prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing. Perhaps the greatest of these is called "overdiagnosis." Basically, a large proportion of men will have very early,... Full Answer

PSA elevations in the blood can be caused by both cancerous and non-cancerous conditions. PSA elevations are not specific to cancer, and not a certain indication of cancer's presence. Benign prostate enlargement (BPH), infections and prostate cancer can... Full Answer

PSA is a little bit like cholesterol—the total number isn't as important as the breakdown of two components is. Like testosterone, your PSA test should measure "free" PSA and "bound" PSA. The lower the free PSA, the more likelihood there is to be... Full Answer