How can prostatitis affect the diagnosis of prostate cancer?

With both Category I and Category II prostatitis, the acute and chronic bacterial forms of the condition, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) may leak from prostate cells into the bloodstream, boosting PSA levels on screening tests and raising fears about prostate cancer. If an increase in PSA is due to an infection, PSA levels will fall after the infection has cleared, but this can take three to six months.

If you've had a prostate infection, it might make sense to hold off on prostate cancer screening or having a repeat test for several weeks -- and until after you've completed therapy with antibiotics. But if you are at high risk for prostate cancer and your PSA seems particularly high even after accounting for the possible impact of prostatitis, your doctor might recommend repeat testing or a biopsy sooner. However, great caution needs to be exercised if a prostate biopsy is performed in the setting of prostatitis ,since serious and life threatening infections can result.