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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffProstate cancer is the most common nonskin cancer in men, and it's the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men after lung cancer. Early detection may be an important tool in getting appropriate and timely treatment.
Men with prostate cancer may have elevated levels of PSA. Many noncancerous conditions also can increase a man's PSA level. Although the PSA test can detect high levels of PSA in the blood, the test doesn't provide precise diagnostic information about the condition of the prostate.
The PSA test is only one tool used to screen for early signs of prostate cancer. Another common screening test, usually done in addition to a PSA test, is a digital rectal exam. In this test, your doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to reach the prostate. By feeling or pressing on the prostate, the doctor may be able to judge whether it has abnormal lumps or hard areas.
Neither the PSA test nor the digital rectal exam provides enough information for your doctor to diagnose prostate cancer. Abnormal results in these tests may lead your doctor to recommend a prostate biopsy. During this procedure, samples of tissue are removed for laboratory examination. A diagnosis of cancer is based on the biopsy results.
Other reasons for PSA tests
For men who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the PSA test may be used to:
- Help decide if and when to begin treatment
- Judge the effectiveness of a treatment
- Check for recurring cancer
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Prostate cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/detailedguide/index. Accessed March 4, 2013.
- Prostate cancer screening. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/basic_info/screening.htm. Accessed March 4, 2013.
- Ilic D, et al. Screening for prostate cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004720.pub3/abstract. Accessed March 4, 2013.
- Moyer VA. Screening for prostate cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Recommendation Statement. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2012;157:120.
- Prostate cancer screening (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/prostate/HealthProfessional/page1. Accessed March 4, 2013.
- PSA. Lab Tests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/psa/tab/test. Accessed March 4, 2013.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/PSA. Accessed March 4, 2013.
- Hoffman RM. Screening for prostate cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 4, 2013.
- Castle EP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ. April 17, 2013.
- Carter HB, et al. Early detection of prostate cancer: AUA guideline. American Urological Association. http://www.auanet.org/education/guidelines/prostate-cancer-detection.cfm. Accessed May 6, 2013.
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