In addition to palpation and ultrasound, the PSA test has been available for early detection of prostate carcinoma for about 20 years. Fortunately, since the introduction of the PSA test, prostate cancer can be detected on average 5 years earlier than by examination or ultrasound. This has led to the fact that today tumors can be detected much more frequently in early stages and are therefore also cured more frequently by appropriate measures.
The blood test detects the concentration of the so-called prostate-specific antigen. This protein is only produced by prostate cells and serves to liquefy the sperm.
The value can be elevated in various changes of the prostate. These include in particular:
- Ejaculation
- Cycling
- Inflammation of the prostate
- Examination of the rectum
- Cystoscopies
- and unfortunately also the prostate cancer
Before any examination of the PSA value as part of a screening examination, it should therefore be ruled out that the first-mentioned "interfering factors" have influenced the value. Ideally, you should refrain from the "activities" mentioned for at least 2-3 days before a PSA examination.
If the value is elevated despite exclusion of the above-mentioned possibilities (in older patients above 4 ng/ml - in younger men also already below 4 ng/ml) or increases in one year more than 0.5 ng/ml compared to the value of the previous year, further examinations must be carried out urgently to exclude or detect a prostate carcinoma. Learn more in the live interview "Prevention against prostate cancer" by Dr. Neubauer in the studio of the WDR.
Even after prostate cancer therapy, the PSA test is best suited for so-called follow-up care. Tumor cells that have metastasized outside the prostate gland also produce PSA, so that the test can often detect the recurrence of the disease much earlier than other examinations.
FAQ about the PSA test:
