Home
HelpTest ID: SPSA Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Screen, Serum
Reporting Name
Prostate-Specific Ag Screen, SUseful For
Monitoring patients with a history of prostate cancer as an early indicator of recurrence and response to treatment
Prostate cancer screening
Clinical Information
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein that is produced by the prostate gland, the lining of the urethra, and the bulbourethral gland. Normally, very little PSA is secreted in the blood. Increases in glandular size and tissue damage caused by benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, or prostate cancer may increase circulating PSA levels.
In patients with previously diagnosed prostate cancer, PSA testing is advocated as an early indicator of tumor recurrence and as an indicator of response to therapy. The role of PSA in early detection of prostate cancer is controversial. The American Cancer Society recommends annual examination with digital rectal examination and serum PSA beginning at age 50, and for those men with a life expectancy of at least 10 years after detection of prostate cancer. For men in high-risk groups, such as African Americans or men with a first-degree relative diagnosed at a younger age, testing should begin at a younger age. It is generally recommended that information be provided to patients about the benefits and limitations of testing and treatment so they can make informed decisions.
Interpretation
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values are reported with the 95th percentile limits by decade of age.
These reference limits include men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. They exclude all cases with proven cancer.
PSA values exceeding the age-specific limits are suspicious for prostate disease, but additional testing, such as prostate biopsy, is needed to diagnose prostate pathology.
The minimal reporting value is 0.1 ng/mL. Values above 0.2 ng/mL are considered evidence of biochemical recurrence of cancer in men after prostatectomy.
Report Available
1 to 3 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Clinical Reference
1. Oesterling JE, Jacobsen SJ, Chute CG, et al: Serum prostate-specific antigen in a community-based population of healthy men. Establishment of age-specific reference ranges. JAMA. 1993 Aug 18;270(7):860-864
2. Smith RA, Cokkinides V, von Eschenbach A, et al: American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of cancer. CA Cancer J Clin. 2002 Jan-Feb;52(1):8-22. doi: 10.3322/canjclin.52.1.8
3. Barry MJ, Albertsen PC, Bagshaw MA, et al: Outcomes for men with clinically nonmetastatic prostate carcinoma managed with radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy, or expectant management: a retrospective analysis. Cancer. 2001 June 15;91(12):2302-2314. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(20010615)91:12<2302::aid-cncr1262>3.3.co;2-g
4. Blute ML, Bergstralh EJ, Iocca A, Scherer B, Zincke H: Use of Gleason score, prostate specific antigen, seminal vesicle and margin status to predict biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy. J Urol. 2001 Jan;165(1):119-125. doi: 10.1097/00005392-200101000-00030
5. Netto GJ, Epstein JI: Immunohistology of the prostate. In: Dabbs DJ, ed. Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2019:588-623
Method Name
Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay
Specimen Type
SerumOrdering Guidance
Free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) can be added to previously-submitted PSA screen specimen within 12 hours of performing the total PSA. Specimen must have been shipped frozen.
If both free and total PSA are requested, order PSAFT / Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), Total and Free, Serum.
Necessary Information
Include patient's age.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection, do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin (vitamin B7), which is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements and multivitamins.
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Red-top tube must be centrifuged and aliquoted within 2 hours of collection.
2. Serum gel tube must be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.75 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 180 days | |
| Refrigerated | 5 days |
Reference Values
Males:
|
Age (years) |
PSA upper limit (ng/mL) |
|
<40 |
≤2.0 |
|
40-49 |
≤2.5 |
|
50-59 |
≤3.5 |
|
60-69 |
≤4.5 |
|
70-79 |
≤6.5 |
|
≥80 |
≤7.2 |
Females: Not applicable
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
84153
G0103 (if appropriate)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| SPSA | Prostate-Specific Ag Screen, S | 83112-3 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| SPSA | Prostate-Specific Ag Screen, S | 83112-3 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.
mml-Neuroimmunology, mml-Neuro-oncology, mml-Pediatric