PSA

Prostate-specific antigen; Prostate cancer screening test 

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.

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