PSA is not just an analysis but a vital necessity

Examination of the prostate gland is impossible without a blood test for PSA. PSA - what it is and why it is important. Prostatic specific antigen is a protein (enzyme) that is produced by the secretion of the prostate and provides sperm motility. He is a tumor marker. It is observed to determine the state of the prostate gland, the dynamics of the development of adenoma and the possible occurrence of cancer are monitored.

Symptoms of the disease

Insidious disease prostatitis or inflammation of the prostate gland. At the beginning of development, it is asymptomatic, which is its main trouble, since the sick person does not yet know about the disease and does not seek help, which leads to the unhindered development of the disease, which entails serious complications in the state of the entire genitourinary system.

A man comes to a urologist only with the appearance of frequent urination, which interferes with normal life, and sometimes - pays attention to a decrease in potency.

Frequent urination may be accompanied by cramps and pains in the lower abdomen, delays in emptying the bladder, and numerous unnecessary urges to urinate. In this case, a general deterioration in health occurs, in some cases, the body temperature rises. All of the above negatively affects the psychological state and leads to depression.

A man closes in on himself, and instead of urgently starting treatment, he tries to independently deal with his fears and embarrassment, and in the meantime, the disease progresses. At this moment, it is very important that a loved one helps mentally, and even better, to accompany you to an appointment with a urologist. The most important thing is to come for help as early as possible. Treatment of prostatitis does not tolerate procrastination!

Necessity to pass the test

• A urologist needs to observe the process of treatment for a benign or malignant prostate tumor in dynamics.
• When taking PSA for prostatitis for the first time, the test will help rule out the likelihood of cancer.
• Prevention of every man after his 40th birthday.

When prostatitis is detected, PSA is an important study. In recent decades, this disease has become the most common in men, not only of mature age, but also in young people. Even 20- and 30-year-olds are not insured against it. Untreated prostatitis always leads to an adenoma (BPH), which, in turn, degenerates into a malignant tumor. PSA analysis in chronic prostatitis greatly facilitates the process of monitoring adenoma and answers the main question in about predisposition to cancer.

Indicators: norm and deviations

PSA happens:

• Total (serum enzyme, normal 15 to 90 percent)
• Associated (with blood protein ACT)

PSA blood test for general prostatitis must be distinguished from free PSA. The free form of the enzyme is only 10 percent of the total antigen. Most of the PSA in 90 percent is in AChT (alpha 1 antichymotrypsin). It is a protein made in the liver. It increases with inflammation, malignant tumors and other systemic diseases. Its absence leads to the disintegration of cells in the focus of inflammation. Total PSA is a protein (amount) that has entered the bloodstream.

Total PSA in prostatitis, above 4 ng per ml, indicates a patient's predisposition to cancer. With readings from 4 to 10 - the probability of cancer is 25 percent and indicates prostate adenoma. If the indicator is above 4, but below 10 units, then experts consider the state of free PSA, if it decreases, the risk of cancer of the gland increases. An increased level of free PSA reduces the risk of cancer, but indicates the presence of prostatitis.

If the total PSA indicator exceeds 10 units, then this already speaks of 60 percent of the likelihood of having cancer

Men who have reached the age of 50 must donate blood for antigen once a year for preventive purposes. Those who have been diagnosed with prostatitis or prostate adenoma, have to do the analysis as prescribed by the urologist, to identify an increase in the level of the indicator.

After the treatment, the analysis must be submitted again for control. Even with a slight increase in the level of antigen, it is necessary to donate blood for analysis at least once every six months. With a sharp increase in the level of antigen, you should be tested for infection, and after the course of treatment, you should be tested again.

A jump in antigen levels also occurs in acute prostatitis. Usually, after a course of antibiotics, it falls, but it can still be higher than normal, although this does not mean prostate cancer. Further research will be required.

Practice shows that an increased level of antigen is always observed in patients with chronic prostatitis, but this does not mean that cancer will necessarily be detected

At the same time, prostate cancer always occurs against the background of chronic prostatitis. The rate of total PSA of the prostate is considered to be from 0 to 4 ng / ml, but with increasing age, the figure may be higher. By the age of 70, the norm is approaching 6 ng / ml.

Quite different indicators in young men. Until the age of 25, the norm should be no higher than 2 ng per ml. At 40, it can rise to 4 ng per ml. The numbers of the test result are a reliable reflection of the condition of the prostate, and at normal values there is no need to worry about the presence of cancer. When the PSA rises to 10 ng per ml, 50 percent indicates that cancer will be found.

To make an accurate diagnosis, the specialist will not focus only on the analysis figures, he will consider the results of previous studies, compare the values of the general and related analysis, focus on the patient's age and the rate of increase in indicators.

The unsuccessful indicators of the last analysis do not yet indicate the presence of cancer, but only about its possibility of occurrence. An accurate diagnosis will be made only after additional research is carried out. It is safe to say that antigen analysis is necessary for the detection and development of prostate diseases.

What the indicators depend on

If you are going to take PSA for prostatitis, you need to assess your physical condition. This should not be done while treating inflammation such as cystitis or urethritis, or inflammation of the kidneys. Prostate massage should also not be performed immediately before the analysis, as well as having sex. Better to abstain for two days.

After an active physical walk, walk or bike, etc. also, no need to rush to the laboratory. These factors affect the increase in PSA. To obtain a real result, for several days you need to limit yourself in the use of spicy and salty foods, from alcohol. Blood is donated in the morning on an empty stomach. At home, you can only drink non-carbonated water.

Potential increase in norms

A slight increase in PSA may be associated with prostate adenoma, with impaired blood supply to the gland, which is caused by diseases of the cardiovascular system. Even prostate infarction can happen. Due to the fact that the iron did not receive oxygen and other nutrients for a long time. And this will be the fault of coronary artery disease.

A large amount of PSA secreted can be associated with pressure from a neoplasm, for example, in the rectum. Masturbation before testing also contributes to an overestimation of the antigen rate. Any groin injury will affect the result. With an influenza condition, it is impossible to donate blood for analysis, even with a slight increase in body temperature. The result will be far from the truth.

As statistics show, the number 10 becomes dangerous. PSA with this result indicates a serious ailment of the prostate gland. Every man has the opportunity to monitor his health. Regular donation of blood for antigen will greatly facilitate the task of doctors, and save a man's life.