Description
Test Description:
| CODE: | PSA |
| UNITS: | ng/ml |
| TECHNOLOGY: | C.L.I.A |
| FASTING TYPE: | NON FASTING |
| SAMPLE TYPE: | SERUM |
| VOLUME: | 1ml |
| NORMAL RANGE: | Normal : Less than 4.00 Border Line : 4.01 to 10.00 |
Clinical Significance:
The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system. It is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder, the organ that stores urine. The main purpose of the prostate is to produce fluid for semen, which transports sperm. For men who are 40 and over, the prostate may become a source of problems. For instance, 1 in 10 men will develop prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men after lung cancer. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a tumor marker. It is considered to be the most remarkable marker available for diagnosis and management of prostatic carcinoma.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein produced primarily by the epithelial cells that line the acini and ducts of the prostate gland. PSA circulates in free and complexed forms. When the prostate is enlarged, infected, or hosting a tumor, PSA levels generally increase. PSA is a protein originally found in semen, the fluid that carries sperm.. PSA helps to keep the semen in its liquid form.
A cross sectional area of a single normal prostate gland tubule consists of cells lining the center, or lumen, which manufacture prostate secretions including PSA. There is also a circle around the cells, called the basement membrane, which stops PSA and other secretions from entering the blood stream. That is how the prostate makes a lot of PSA but only a tiny amount normally is found in the blood.
Abnormal Levels of PSA:
The cells will continue to manufacture PSA if they are in locations outside the prostate. PSA levels in the blood go up if the barrier between the epithelium and the bloodstream is damaged. Three typical sources of damage are: cancer, bacterial infection, and prostate infarction or destruction of part of the prostate by damage to its blood supply. Minor elevation of the PSA levels is sometimes due to cancer, but normally a little PSA leaks from the prostate into the blood. If the prostate is enlarged then the leakage appears exaggerated. PSA can be slightly abnormal in men with enlarged prostates who do not have cancer.
