Raised PSA
Raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood can be caused by medical conditions such as prostatitis or a urinary tract infection, age, or often another harmless cause.
What is raised PSA?
Raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood can be caused by medical conditions such as prostatitis or a urinary tract infection, age, or often another harmless cause. In certain instances, it could suggest prostate cancer. PSA is a protein which is produced by both cancerous and noncancerous tissues within the prostate. The prostate is the gland which is situated directly underneath the male bladder. PSA is mostly found in the semen, although it is normal for a little amount to be in the blood.
A PSA test is usually recommended in order to ascertain if there are elevated levels of PSA in the blood. A PSA test is a common way of screening for prostate cancer, but raised PSA can also indicate other conditions such as an enlarged or inflamed prostate. As such, the interpretation of a high PSA score's significance can be complex.
Symptoms of raised PSA
If prostatitis is causing your raised PSA levels, you may experience symptoms such as; fever, pain when urinating, ejaculation issues, or pressure in the rectum. If you have a urinary tract infection, another raised PSA cause, you could experience pain when urinating, an inability to urinate, or see blood in the urine. However, many patients with prostate cancer often have no symptoms, some however have disturbance in their urinary flow.
Causes of raised PSA
While men with prostate cancer usually show elevated levels of PSA, that is not the only known cause of raised PSA. Other possible causes include; age, as PSA levels tend to increase as we get older; benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is an enlarged prostate that can increase PSA levels; prostatitis, a chronic inflammation of the prostate; a recent medical procedure such as a prostate exam or urinary catheter insertion; intense exercises; changes in ejaculation; and a urinary tract infection.
Treatment options for raised PSA
After undergoing a PSA test - which is a simple procedure that involves drawing blood (usually from the arm) with a needle - that has shown a raised PSA level, your doctor can advise you on the next steps.
Mr Kaba will assess your PSA velocity (a measurement of PSA level change over a time period which could reveal a significant increase that indicates the presence of cancer) and PSA density. Typically, however this often requires an MRI scan of your prostate with a transperineal biopsy if required.
Get in Touch
Nuffield Health Warwickshire Hospital
The Chase Blackdown
Leamington Spa
CV32 6RW
Mrs Laura Quince
+441926 436316
laura.quince@nuffieldhealth.com