Elevated PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)

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Prostate-Specific Antigen, or PSA, is a protein within your blood that is produced by the cells of the prostate gland and may be present in higher-than-normal concentrations due to prostate cancer. HOWEVER, several conditions other than cancer can cause an elevated PSA level – for example, a urinary tract infection. Therefore, a high PSA level is simply one indicator that more testing is needed. Men ages 55-69 may want to discuss PSA testing with their physician. If you have an elevated PSA level, it’s time to consult with an expert like Dr. Wallen. He can provide the necessary testing and treatment whether the diagnosis is malignant or benign. 

Possible reasons for elevated PSA

  • Age (a higher PSA level is normal the older you get)
  • Prostatitis – the most often diagnosed prostate condition in men below the age of 50
  • BPH – benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
  • Introduction of a bladder catheter
  • A urinary tract infection
  • Prostate cancer

What happens when PSA screening reveals a high level?

An elevated PSA test is not conclusive for prostate cancer – in fact, far from it. So if your test reveals a high level of this antigen in your blood, the first thing your doctor may want to do is re-test you to confirm the first test’s results. (PSA tests can provide false-positive results). At this point, even if your PSA is still elevated, as long as you don’t have symptoms of prostate cancer the recommendation may be to simply have regular PSA tests and digital rectal exams going forward. Further testing may be needed when and if your PSA level rises even more, or if your doctor discovers a growth during a digital rectal exam. Additional tests may include:

  • A transrectal ultrasound
  • X-rays
  • Cystoscopy

Finally, your doctor may determine it is necessary to biopsy your prostate so that the collected tissue can be viewed under a microscope. It’s important to understand that some small tumors that are discovered via PSA testing grow so slowly that they will never be life-threatening. Moreover

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