Elevated PSA

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein enzyme that is secreted by both normal and cancerous cells of the prostate. Prostatic growth and Prostate Cancer can cause an elevation of the PSA.

The PSA blood test can be used as a screening tool for early detection of Prostate Cancer. The blood test measures the amount of PSA circulating in the blood. Typically PSA is used in combination with a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE).

Elevated levels of PSA in your blood may reflect Cancer growth in your prostate. However, additional testing such as prostate biopsies need to be done to confirm this diagnostic.

Furthermore, PSA can also be elevated for a variety of other causes and your Urologist needs to discriminate between cancer and benign (non cancerous) etiologies.

Benign Causes of Elevated PSA

Several benign causes may raise your PSA level including:

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

• Infection in the prostate (Prostatitis)

• Acute Urinary Retention (AUR)

• Ejaculation

• Age

• Testosterone level

• Urological procedure

Investigation of Elevated PSA

• Urine Analysis/Culture

• Post Void Residual

• Prostate Biopsies

• MRI of the Prostate