PSA Profile

A PSA Test is taken to detect whether a person has developed prostate cancer. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein secreted by the prostate gland. This protein is produced by normal as well as cancerous cells. Cancerous prostate gland start multiplying the production of the PSA at an abnormal rate. This test measures the PSA levels (both free and total) in blood. PSA is considered to be a tumor marker since its levels in the blood are elevated in prostate cancer. It serves as a useful tool to monitor the progression of prostate cancer. The most frequent conditions that cause an elevation in PSA level are prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).