The presence of elevated PSA in young men is not a cause for undue concern and is mostly due to acute or chronic inflammation, which can be reviewed periodically and, if necessary, rectal ultrasound can be performed.
PSA is also known as prostate-specific antigen. It is a glycoprotein expressed by the epithelium of the prostate alveoli and is found at high levels in semen. The normal value in serum is usually <4ng/ml, and the destruction of the basement membrane of the alveoli in the prostate gland in the event of cancer allows PSA to enter the bloodstream, resulting in elevated serum PSA, which can be used as a tumor marker for prostate cancer. The PSA test is currently a very important tool for screening and diagnosing prostate cancer, but is generally reserved for middle-aged and older patients over 50 years of age, and is not necessary for young people.
There are many factors that affect PSA, specifically:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia, acute and chronic prostatitis, and other diseases can be elevated;
- Some clinical operations, such as rectal examinations, prostate massage, cystoscopy, and prostate puncture biopsies, can also lead to elevated PSA.
The three main types of prostate disease are prostate enlargement, prostatitis, and prostate cancer. In young men, prostate disease is dominated by inflammation of the prostate gland, which causes tissue congestion and edema, resulting in increased vascular permeability and a small amount of PSA entering the bloodstream causing elevated serum PSA.
So if a young man has an elevated PSA, there is no need to be overly concerned, it is mostly due to acute or chronic inflammation and can be reviewed periodically, with rectal ultrasound if necessary. In some patients, the PSA will decrease or return to normal after a period of follow-up observation or treatment for prostatitis.