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What Does The PSA Report Indicate?
Question: I am 55 years old and my PSA has gone from 6.3ug/L to 7.3 ug/L in 1 year,and then, from 7.3ug/L to 9.5ug/L in the last 4 months. What am I looking at, exactly?
Brief Answer:
There might be a high risk of developing prostate cancer, pls get evaluated
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
PSA is a marker for probability of prostate cancer when if shows a particular pattern of increase on consecutive blood tests. It should be remembered that PSA can also be raised in non cancerous situations like infection involving the prostate.
Discussing further on elevated PSA levels, 1 in 4 people with high PSA levels proceed to have a cancer. Your PSA velocity (rate of change in velocity) is indicative of high risk of cancer. This does not mean cancer is present and only indicates a probability by using mathematical calculations and formula. The average PSA velocity as per data mentioned in your query is 1.60 ng/ml/yr. However in the last 4 months it has been higher, probably more than 2 ng/ml/yr.
The PSA circulates in the blood in two forms either free or bound to certain blood proteins. If you have a high PSA level but a low percentage of free PSA, then close follow up and ruling out cancer becomes important. This test is used for men with a PSA level in the borderline range between 4 and 10. Research shows that if more than a quarter (25%) of the total PSA is free, there is less chance of having prostate cancer. I recommend you also get a free PSA test done to know the risk of cancer if any.
However please continue to get PSA tested regularly and take treatment for any inflammation that you might be having. An ultrasound scan for prostate volume assessment is also required to know if an enlarged prostate is causing infections due to urinary symptoms. Alternatively a detailed evaluation of the prostate gland might also be required as recommended by your urologist.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
There might be a high risk of developing prostate cancer, pls get evaluated
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
PSA is a marker for probability of prostate cancer when if shows a particular pattern of increase on consecutive blood tests. It should be remembered that PSA can also be raised in non cancerous situations like infection involving the prostate.
Discussing further on elevated PSA levels, 1 in 4 people with high PSA levels proceed to have a cancer. Your PSA velocity (rate of change in velocity) is indicative of high risk of cancer. This does not mean cancer is present and only indicates a probability by using mathematical calculations and formula. The average PSA velocity as per data mentioned in your query is 1.60 ng/ml/yr. However in the last 4 months it has been higher, probably more than 2 ng/ml/yr.
The PSA circulates in the blood in two forms either free or bound to certain blood proteins. If you have a high PSA level but a low percentage of free PSA, then close follow up and ruling out cancer becomes important. This test is used for men with a PSA level in the borderline range between 4 and 10. Research shows that if more than a quarter (25%) of the total PSA is free, there is less chance of having prostate cancer. I recommend you also get a free PSA test done to know the risk of cancer if any.
However please continue to get PSA tested regularly and take treatment for any inflammation that you might be having. An ultrasound scan for prostate volume assessment is also required to know if an enlarged prostate is causing infections due to urinary symptoms. Alternatively a detailed evaluation of the prostate gland might also be required as recommended by your urologist.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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