Does an Elevated PSA Indicate Prostate Cancer?

NEW YORK, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. David Samadi, Chairman of Urology and Chief of Robotic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital and Professor of Urology at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, offers an individualized care approach for treating men with an elevated PSA.

"The PSA level may differ depending on many factors such as age, race and family history of prostate diseases such as prostatitis. An elevated PSA doesn't always mean Prostate Cancer, that's why it is critical for every patient to receive an individualized approach," said Dr. Samadi.

Every man should get a baseline PSA blood test starting at the age of 40. A "normal" PSA (prostate specific antigen) level is generally between 0 and 4 ng/mL. Results above 4.0 ng/mL is considered abnormal or elevated. If a man's PSA is elevated, new genetic tests such as the PHI (Prostate Health Index), 4K Score, PcA3 can help further diagnose the issue around the prostate and if a biopsy is required.

"The PSA test is not a prostate cancer test, but it is a vital first step in identifying the potential presence of the disease. I am a firm believer in routine PSA screenings. In my experience, an elevated PSA is how many of my patients were diagnosed, combined with knowing their risk factors like family history. In the end, when we look back, that test saved their lives," noted Dr. Samadi.

An elevated PSA is not a diagnosis for cancer, nor does it always lead to a biopsy. It may indicate other conditions such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Prostatitis (enlarged prostate) or a urinary tract infection.

"At Lenox Hill's Prostate Cancer Center, our key approach is measuring the trend and velocity of the PSA over time. PSA mapping by a prostate cancer expert is the best way to determine if elevations are a cause for concern. A PSA level of 4.0 ng/mL is normal, while changes of more than 2.0 ng/mL over the course of a year could be an indicator of the presence of Prostate Cancer. But an elevated PSA must be weighed against specific Prostate Cancer risk factors such as age, family history and lifestyle habits," stressed Dr. Samadi.

If an elevated PSA is first treated with antibiotics, and once retested still remains high, an MRI to examine the prostate may be needed. If further results lead to suspicion around the prostate, an MRI Fusion Guided Biopsy is the next step to determine if an elevated PSA is an indication of prostate cancer.

If a man's blood test results in an elevated PSA, he should seek a urologist right away, where additional testing such as another PSA test, urinalysis test, post-void residual or cystoscopy can further indicate and diagnose the issue.

New prostate cancer diagnostic tools are available at the Lenox Hill Prostate Cancer Center including the 4K Score and PcA3 test. Patients newly diagnosed with an elevated PSA or Prostate Cancer can set up a consultation with world renowned Prostate Cancer surgeon, Dr. David Samadi, to find the right treatment by visiting ProstateCancer911.com and calling 212.365.5000.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150602/220072

SOURCE Dr. David Samadi

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