What is an advantage of performing a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer?

What is an advantage of performing a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer?

• A. PSA is stable in serum and not affected by a digital-rectal examination
• B. PSA is increased only in prostatic malignancy
• C. A normal serum level rules out malignant prostatic disease
• D. The percentage of free PSA is elevated in persons with malignant disease

Answer: (A)

The advantage of performing a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer is primarily related to its stability in serum and the impact of procedures like a digital-rectal examination. PSA is a protein produced by both normal and malignant cells of the prostate gland, and its levels can provide important information about prostate health. One significant characteristic of PSA is that it remains stable in serum samples, which means that it can be reliably measured and its levels assessed over time without being significantly affected by recent activities such as a digital rectal examination (DRE). While it is true that a DRE may cause a transient increase in PSA levels, this increase is usually minor and doesn't overshadow the overall reliability of the test. This stability makes PSA testing a valuable tool in screening and monitoring prostate cancer, as healthcare providers can trust that the results reflect the true PSA level in circulation. In contrast, other assertions regarding PSA are less accurate. For instance, while elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, they can also be elevated in benign conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis, making it a less specific marker. A normal PSA level does not entirely rule out prostate cancer, as some patients with cancer can still have normal PSA levels at diagnosis. Finally,

The advantage of performing a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer is primarily related to its stability in serum and the impact of procedures like a digital-rectal examination. PSA is a protein produced by both normal and malignant cells of the prostate gland, and its levels can provide important information about prostate health.

One significant characteristic of PSA is that it remains stable in serum samples, which means that it can be reliably measured and its levels assessed over time without being significantly affected by recent activities such as a digital rectal examination (DRE). While it is true that a DRE may cause a transient increase in PSA levels, this increase is usually minor and doesn't overshadow the overall reliability of the test. This stability makes PSA testing a valuable tool in screening and monitoring prostate cancer, as healthcare providers can trust that the results reflect the true PSA level in circulation.

In contrast, other assertions regarding PSA are less accurate. For instance, while elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, they can also be elevated in benign conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis, making it a less specific marker. A normal PSA level does not entirely rule out prostate cancer, as some patients with cancer can still have normal PSA levels at diagnosis. Finally,