Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is ordered to check the progression of prostate cancer in male patients. It was approved along with digital rectal exam (DRE) by the FDA in 1994 to check asymptomatic patients for prostate cancer.
Get into the insights of PSA test with Dr. Pratibha Karande:
Why to perform PSA test?
This particular test is mainly carried out as a screening test for the detection of carcinoma of the prostate in male patients. Along with screening out for carcinomas, this also gives a clear clue of benign inflammation of the prostate gland. In senior citizens above 60 years of age, benign enlargement of the prostate is a common condition. Also for the detection of this benign enlargement of the prostate, the doctor may suggest to perform the test of the detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
What is prostate-specific antigen (PSA)?
It is an antigen that is secreted by prostate gland and present in our blood. When a doctor advises to undergo PSA test, the presence of PSA is actually detected in the blood.
What do the test results mean?
When the test results come out to be on the higher side then it means that the quantity of PSA is more in the blood. This gives the doctor a clue that the person could be suffering from benign enlargement of prostate or it could be a clue for cancerous condition of prostate. Now, just to confirm the diagnosis of either a benign condition or malignant condition, the doctor will advise you to go ahead for some more specific tests, so that a crisp and clear conclusion and diagnosis could be done. PSA Test also helps to determine which cancer stage an individual is going through & accordingly doctor will decide whether to treat with medicinal mode, radiation therapy or prostate cancer surgery.
