PSA TOTAL

The PSA Total test is a medical checkup that is done to check how much amount of prostate-specific

antigen (PSA) exists in the blood. If the levels of this protein are very high, then it indicates that their

certain issues related to one’s prostate. This examination is important for early cancer diagnosis as

well as control. The PSA Total test applies enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technology

to determine the overall amount of PSA present in blood samples. A healthcare provider takes a

sample of blood from a patient’s arm and sends it off to a lab. The examination measures all forms

of total PSA including free and complexed peptides.

You will recall the very recent and ongoing debates on PSA total that has created so much controversy. For instance, the U.S. FDA announced in May 2012 that it was considering whether to change its previous recommendations about the use of PSA screening for prostate cancer.

The PSA Total test measures the concentration of total PSA in the blood, which includes:

1. Free PSA (not bound to other proteins)
2. PSA bound to other proteins (complexed PSA)

The test results are reported in nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL).

The usual time for taking the PSA Total test are as follows:

1. To screen men over 50 years old for prostate cancer

2. For monitoring of treatment of prostate cancer and early identification of recurrence.

3. To investigate symptoms like urinating frequently, feeling an immediate need to urinate or finding it hard to start urinating

Risks and limitations involve:

1. False-positive results (higher than normal levels of PSA not caused by cancer)

2. False-negative results (normal levels of PSA despite existence of cancer)

3. Overdiagnosis and overtreatment of slow-growing tumours

4. Drawbacks related to collecting blood samples, e.g., bruising or infection

Professionals in medicine assess the following parameters:

1. Total level of PSA in blood (ng/mL),

2. Change in level of PSA with time,

3. Amount of free PSA compared to the other form bound with a protein.

Men who are:

1. Age 50 years and above.

2. Have family members diagnosed with prostate cancer.

3. Of African American origin

4. Have difficulty starting to urinate, have urinary frequency or experience urgency.

1. Helps to locate early prostate cancer that can be treated easily

2. Is useful in checking the effectiveness of treatment for prostate cancer and it may also detect a recurring condition

3. May be used to diagnose other non-cancerous conditions affecting the prostate; these include prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Some common diseases diagnosed through PSA Total test are:

1. Prostate cancer

2. Prostatitis (prostate inflammation)

3. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, enlarged prostate)

Preparation entails:

1. No preparations are necessary at all.

2. Talk to your health care provider about any medicines you take, especially ones that might affect your blood test results.

Prerequisites: None

Eligibility: Males aged 50 years and over or those showing signs or risk factors associated with them.

Procedure for Taking the Test: Venipuncture for blood sample collection from the arm

Caution Before the Test: Notify your healthcare provider about any drugs administered or medical situations present in its course.