Elevated PSA

What is elevated PSA?

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the prostate by non-cancerous and cancerous tissue. The prostate-specific antigen test is the test used in prostate cancer screening. But the PSA levels do not determine if the patient has cancer or not.

Elevated levels of PSA can indicate the presence of cancer, but it can also indicate non-cancerous conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or an infection.

As men age, the levels of PSA rise naturally. PSA levels between 4.0 ng/mL and 10.0 ng/mL are considered to be suspicious. While higher than 10.0ng/mL is considered to be dangerous.

Although many men who have normal PSA levels can have prostate cancer. PSA tests are not always accurate.

What are the causes of elevated PSA levels?

The causes of elevated PSA levels can be prostate cancer, aging, prostate enlargement, urinary tract infection (UTI), and urinary catheter placement.

What are the symptoms if you have elevated PSA levels?

Elevated PSA levels may have no symptoms. Here are the common symptoms if you have elevated PSA:

• Difficulty of urinating
• Weak flow of urine
• Blood in semen
• Blood in the urine
• Painful ejaculation
• Incontinence pain in the hip or lower back

What can be done?

If you’re found to have an elevated PSA level and if your provider does not rule out any other causes, you’ll have repeat tests to check your prostate and a digital rectal exam. Continued abnormal results call for further investigation for prostate cancer screening.

• Prostate health index
• PSA velocity
• Urine Tests
• MRI

Based on any of these results, the provider will recommend a prostate biopsy if cancer is suspected.

Desert Sky Urology provides comprehensive urologic care to men and women in Chandler, Gilbert, and Phoenix, AZ. If you have the symptoms, don’t hesitate to have yourself check.