Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) Test

Results

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Normal values may vary from lab to lab.

Normal

Because normal PSA levels seem to increase with age, age-specific ranges may be used. But the use of age-specific ranges is controversial, and some doctors prefer to use one range for all ages. For this reason, it is important to discuss your test results with your doctor.

Total prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

Men age 40–49:	0–2.5 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL)	0–2.5 micrograms per liter (mcg/L)
Men age 50–59:	0–3.5 ng/mL	0–3.5 mcg/L
Men age 60–69:	0–4.5 ng/mL	0–4.5 mcg/L
Men 70–79:	0–6.5 ng/mL	0–6.5 mcg/L

High values

• High levels do not always mean prostate cancer is present. PSA levels may be high if the prostate gland is enlarged (benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH) or inflamed (prostatitis).
• PSA levels above 8.0 ng/mL (or 8.0 mcg/L) are likely to mean prostate cancer. A transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and prostate biopsy are needed to confirm a diagnosis of cancer.

A follow-up test that measures free prostate-specific antigen (free PSA) may be used to see if a prostate biopsy should be done to check for cancer. The lower a man's free PSA level, the more likely he is to develop prostate cancer.

Free prostate-specific antigen (fPSA)

Percent free PSA	Probability of cancer
More than 25%:	8%
20%–25%:	16%
15%–20%:	20%
10%–25%:	28%
0%–10%:	56%

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Author:	Bets Davis, MFA	Last Updated: April 13, 2009
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
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