Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein made by the prostate. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in men that makes fluid for semen.
Most PSA is released into semen. Some of it is released into the blood. The PSA level in the blood can become elevated if there is disease of the prostate.
The PSA test is used to:
The PSA test may also be used as a screening tool for prostate cancer. However, this use is controversial. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the PSA test, and your personal risk factors for prostate cancer.
There are no major complications associated with this test.
You will be asked to sit. An area inside your elbow will be cleaned with an antiseptic wipe. A large band will be tied around your arm. The needle will then be inserted into a vein. A tube will collect the blood from the needle. The band on your arm will be removed. Once all the blood is collected, the needle will be removed. Some gauze will be placed over the site to help stop bleeding. You may also be given a bandage to place over the site.
After the blood sample is collected, you may need to stay seated for 10-15 minutes. If you are lightheaded, you may need to stay seated longer. Once you feel better, you can leave.
The process takes about 5-10 minutes.
It may be uncomfortable when the needle pierces your skin.
The results are usually available in a few days to a week. Your doctor will talk to you about your results.
If your PSA level is slightly elevated, but there are no other reasons to suspect prostate cancer, your doctor may recommend closely following your PSA levels.
If your PSA level is too high, has risen significantly, or the doctor notices a prostate lump during a digital rectal exam, you will probably need to schedule other tests, such as a prostate biopsy.
After the test, call your doctor if any of the following occur:
American Cancer Society
Urology Care Foundation
Canadian Cancer Society
Prostate Cancer Canada
Fang J, Metter EJ, et al. PSA velocity for assessing prostate cancer risk in men with PSA levels between 2.0 and 4.0 ng/mL. Urology. 2002;59:889-893.
How did the USPSTF arrive at this recommendation? US Preventative Services Task Force website. Available at: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/SupportingDoc/prostate-cancer-screening/how-did-the-uspstf-arrive-at-this-recommendation-. Accessed March 6, 2018
PSA testing for the pretreatment staging and posttreatment management of prostate cancer: 2013 revision of 2009 best practice statement. American Urological Association website. Available at: http://www.auanet.org/education/guidelines/prostate-specific-antigen.cfm. Accessed March 6, 2018.
Prostate cancer screening. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113802/Prosta...cancer-screening. Updated February 28, 2018. Accessed March 6, 2018.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) Test. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/PSA. Updated October 4, 2017. Accessed March 6, 2018.
Screening for prostate cancer: current recommendation. US Preventative Services Task Force website. Available at: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/prostatecancerscreening/prostatecancerfaq.htm. Updated May 2012. Accessed March 6, 2018.
Stephan C, Stroebel G, et al. The ratio of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to prostate volume (PSA density) as a parameter to improve the detection of prostate carcinoma in PSA values in the range of < 4 ng/mL. Cancer. 2005;104:993-1003.
5/6/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed: Schröder FH, Hugosson J, et al. Screening and prostate-cancer mortality in a randomized European study. N Engl J Med. 2009;360:1320-1328.
Last reviewed March 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Alan Drabkin, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.