Synonyms |
|
PSA |
Clinical
Indications |
|
In
combination with digital rectal examination PSA can aid
diagnosis of prostate cancer in symptomatic patients. PSA is
also useful for monitoring patients with diagnosed pancreatic
cancer. The value of PSA in screening asymptomatic men has not
been proven in clinical trials.
|
Request
Form |
|
Combined Pathology
Blood form (Yellow/Black)
|
Availability |
|
On request
|
Specific
Criteria |
|
Should not be used for
screening in asymptomatic men. A patient
information leaflet is available
|
Patient
Preparation |
|
Urological
manipulations affect PSA levels and if possible sample should
be taken before procedure. Effects are as follows:
|
DRE
/
Prostate massage |
May
cause minor increases in some patients, take sample for
PSA before procedure. |
|
Ejaculation |
Results
conflicting but may increase PSA levels. |
|
TURP
/
Needle Biopsy |
Increases
PSA levels significantly. Wait at least 6 weeks before
taking sample for PSA levels |
|
Ultrasound |
Increases
PSA levels in a minority of patients |
|
Cystoscopy |
Flexible
cystoscopy does not appear to increase PSA levels but rigid
cystoscopy may increase levels. |
|
Turnaround
Time |
|
Same Day
|
Specimen |
|
Serum
|
Volume |
|
2 ml
|
Container |
|
Yellow top (SST) tube
|
Reference
Range |
|
|
Age
Range |
PSA
ng/mL |
|
|
<
50 years |
0.1
- 2.5 |
|
|
50
- 59 |
0.1
- 3.5 |
|
|
60
- 69 |
0.1
- 4.5 |
|
|
70
- 79 |
0.1
- 6.5 |
|
|
>
79 years |
0.1
- 7.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Half-life
in Serum |
|
Approx.
2.5 days after radical prostatectomy. Half-life after
radiotherapy may be many months. Tumour
marker half-life calculator.
|
|
Interpretation |
|
Benign
prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), acute and chronic prostatitis,
urinary retention, prostate biopsy, prostate massage and
ejaculation may give rise to transient elevation of PSA levels |