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Test Code LAB4392 PSA, TOTAL (DIAGNOSTIC)

Important Note

This test is appropriate for the following diagnoses: 

  • Elevated PSA, Abnormal PSA 

  • Increased PSA velocity 

  • Biochemically recurrent malignant neoplasm of prostate 

  • Prostate cancer prostate carcinoma prostate adenocarcinoma, history of prostate cancer, history of prostatectomy 

For other situations, please refer to the PSA, Screening test here .

 

If ultrasensitive PSA is requested, the following test should be ordered instead: Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Ultrasensitive, Serum - Kootenai Health

Additional Codes

Labcorp test code 010322, 480072

Quest 5363

Specimen Type

Preferred Specimen: Serum (SST, Gold, Tiger, Red Top NO GEL)

Specimen must be centrifuged within 3 hours of collection.
 

Specimen Volume

1 mL

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Turnaround Time

Stat - 1 hour

Routine - 4 hours

Test Schedule

Daily

Sample Stability

Refrigerated: 24 hours
 

Method

Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA)

Reference Ranges

<4.0 ng/mL

Reporting Limit

Reportable range: 0.1-1000.0 ng/mL

Synonyms

PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN
PROSTATE AG
TOTAL PSA

CPT Codes

84153

Interpretation and Clinical Utility

Elevated concentrations of PSA in serum are generally indicative of a pathologic condition of the prostate (prostatitis, benign hyperplasia or carcinoma). The test is further indicated for serial measurement of tPSA to aid in the management of cancer patients.

Processing

Ensure complete clot formation prior to centrifugation.

Synonym

PSA, 84153, LAB4392

Clinical Information

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is mainly produced in the glandular epithelium of the prostate. PSA has also been found in breast cancers, salivary gland neoplasms, periurethral and anal glands, cells of the male urethra, breast milk, blood, and urine. PSA produced in the prostate is secreted into the seminal fluid in high concentrations. A major function of PSA is the proteolytic cleavage of gel-forming proteins in the seminal fluid, resulting in the liquefaction of the seminal gel and increased sperm mobility. Low levels of PSA are found in the blood due to leakage from the prostate gland. Increasing levels of serum PSA are associated with prostatic pathology, including prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and cancer of the prostate.

 

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the United States. Early diagnosis of carcinoma of the prostate is hindered by the lack of symptoms in men with localized tumors. Therefore, early detection requires a simple, safe, and inexpensive test for the disease in asymptomatic men. The traditional method for detection of prostate cancer is the digital rectal examination (DRE). However, only 30 to 40% of cancers detected by DRE screening are expected to be confined to the prostate. The frequent finding of locally advanced prostate cancer in screened patients may be due to the inability of DRE to detect tumors of small volume that are most likely to be confined to the prostate. Since patients with small tumors are believed to have the best prognosis, it can be concluded that DRE has limited sensitivity in detecting those tumors with the greatest potential for cure. Measurement of serum PSA concentrations offers several advantages in the early detection of prostate cancer. The result is objective, quantitative, and independent of the examiner’s skill.

 

PSA testing can have significant value in detecting metastatic or persistent disease in patients following surgical or medical treatment of prostate cancer. Persistent elevation of PSA following treatment, or an increase in a post-treatment PSA level is indicative of recurrent or residual disease. PSA testing is widely accepted as an adjunctive test in the management of prostate cancer patients.