Prostate-specific antigen; Prostate cancer screening test
Normal Values
Normal values vary with age. Older men typically have slightly higher PSA measurements than younger men. Men with a larger prostate will also have higher PSA values.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results mean
A high PSA level has been linked to an increased chance of having prostate cancer. However, a high PSA level does not mean that you definitely have prostate cancer. A high PSA level only identifies patients at higher risk of having prostate cancer. People at higher risk may need to have more tests.
A PSA of 4 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) is abnormally high for most men and may indicate the need for a prostate biopsy. For men under age 50, levels above 2 ng/mL may be too high. A significant rise from one year to the next may also indicate a higher risk of having prostate cancer.
Keep in mind that although PSA testing is an important tool for detecting prostate cancer, it is not foolproof.
Greater-than-normal PSA levels may indicate:
-
Benign prostatic hypertrophy -
Prostate cancer - Prostate infection (
prostatitis ) -
Urinary tract infection



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