PSA Total+% Free

Overview:

Prostate specific antigen circulates both bound to proteins and unbound, or free. Total PSA can be raised by prostate cancer but also by benign enlargement, inflammation, infection, recent ejaculation and cycling, so a raised result on its own does not establish a cause. The proportion that is free tends to be lower where cancer is present and higher with benign enlargement, so the percentage can add information when total PSA falls in a borderline range and the question is whether a biopsy is warranted. Whether to screen for prostate cancer at all is a decision to discuss with a clinician.

Categories:

Cancer Markers, Men’s Health

Biomarkers:

3 biomarkers