Prostate Specific Antigen

A glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 30.000–34000 daltons, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) shares a tight structural link with glandular kallikreins. Prostatatitis, benign hyperplasia, or cancer are the three pathologic conditions of the prostate that are typically indicated by elevated PSA concentrations in the serum. Low levels of PSA can also be seen in female sera since it is also found in the paraurethral and anal glands, breast tissue, and breast cancer. Radiation prostatectomy may not completely remove PSA from the body. PSA readings are primarily used in the tracking of treatment efficacy and progress in patients with prostate cancer or undergoing hormone therapy. The success of therapy can be determined by observing the steepness of the PSA decline to levels that are no longer detectable after radiation, hormonal therapy, or drastic surgical excision of the prostate. PSA rises might be of different lengths and degrees due to prostate inflammation or trauma (e.g., after rectal examination, transurethral biopsy, cystoscopy, coloscopy, laser treatment, or ergometry).