ProstateSpecificAntigen (PSA) is a major component of the seminal plasma of the semen that is synthesized and secreted by the prostate epithelium.
Total prostate-specific antigen, abbreviated tPSA, has a normal value of 0-4 ng/ml. tPSA greater than 10 ng/ml (9 ng/ml is also used as a standard) is suspected of prostate cancer.
A tPSA between 4 and 10 ng/ml is considered clinically a “gray area,” meaning that it is suspicious but not definitive. The ratio of free PSA to tPSA should be checked medically to determine if further testing is needed. When tPSA is greater than 4ng/ml, it is recommended to consult your doctor for discharge testing and the timing of the review.
Puncture biopsy is an important standard or gold standard for the diagnosis of cancer. The diagnosis of cancer can only be made if the biopsy component tests for anomalous cells (cancer cells suspected of being diseased). Therefore, a single abnormal serologic test is not usually sufficient to confirm a diagnosis of cancer. The final diagnosis can only be made by combining imaging and clinical symptoms.
By combining total prostate-specific antigen testing, we can reduce unnecessary biopsies, increase the rate of positive biopsies, and avoid meaningless biopsies that cause tissue damage to the body.
In clinical practice, acute prostatitis, urinary retention, and indwelling catheters can all cause elevated tPSA, and the effects of such factors need to be expelled.