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Prostate gland Enlarge image. The PSA test is a blood test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer. The test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by both cancerous and noncancerous tissue in the prostate, a small gland that sits below the bladder in males.
A PSA test is a blood test used primarily to screen for elevated levels of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) released by the prostate. It can be elevated for a variety of reasons. PSA screening continues to be a highly debated, controversial topic among the medical community.
PSA levels can be detected in the blood, urine, or semen. Blood PSA testing is used as a screening test for prostate cancer. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels by age remain the same across most populations. A PSA level above 4.0 ng/mL in any age group must be investigated.
Gleason score. The most common scale used to evaluate the grade of prostate cancer cells is called a Gleason score. Gleason scoring combines two numbers and can range from 2 (nonaggressive cancer) to 10 (very aggressive cancer), though the lower part of the range isn't used as often.
Generally speaking, though, PSA levels for men who are: Age 60 or older: should be at or below 4.0 mg/mL; Age 59 or younger: should be at or below 2.5 mg/mL; The average PSA for men in the younger group is <1.0 mg/mL. Why are my PSA levels elevated? Your PSA levels could be elevated for many reasons.
Your PSA level helps your provider decide how likely it is that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. It also helps your provider decide how likely it is that your cancer will be cured with treatment. Other clues about your prognosis come from your cancer's stage, grade and Gleason score.
In individuals with a total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL, free PSA:total PSA ratio could help determine the relative risk of prostate cancer. The lower the free PSA:total PSA ratio, the higher the risk of prostate cancer.