prostate specific antigen
- prostate specific antigen
-
an enzyme produced by the glandular epithelium of the prostate. Increased quantities are secreted when the gland enlarges, and levels of PSA in the blood are significantly elevated in cancer of the prostate. Although there is no clear 'cut-off' level for normality, over 4 ng/ml in the blood is associated with a 20% risk of prostate cancer, even in patients with normal-feeling prostates on rectal examination. Newer PSA assays can measure free PSA and compare it to the total PSA in the blood. Low free:total PSA ratios indicate a greater risk of prostate cancer and improve the discrimination between cancer and benign disease in men with a PSA in the range 4-10 ng/ml. PSA levels tend to be much higher in advanced prostate cancer and the rate of fall on treatment is a good prognostic indicator of response.
Medical dictionary.
2011.
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Prostate specific antigen — (PSA) is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland. PSA is present in small quantities in the serum of normal men, and is often elevated in the presence of prostate cancer and in other prostate disorders. A blood test to measure PSA… … Wikipedia
prostate-specific antigen — n a protease that is secreted by the epithelial cells of the prostate and is used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer since its concentration in the blood serum tends to be proportional to the clinical stage of the disease abbr. PSA * * * (PSA) a … Medical dictionary
prostate-specific antigen test — A blood test that measures the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA), a substance produced by the prostate and some other tissues in the body. Increased levels of PSA may be a sign of prostate cancer … English dictionary of cancer terms
prostate specific antigen — PSA an enzyme produced by the glandular epithelium of the prostate. Increased quantities are secreted when the gland becomes enlarged or inflamed, and levels of PSA in the blood are significantly elevated in cancer of the prostate. Although there … The new mediacal dictionary
prostate-specific antigen — PSA. A substance produced by the prostate that may be found in an increased amount in the blood of men who have prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or infection or inflammation of the prostate. Also called PSA … English dictionary of cancer terms
prostate-specific antigen — noun Date: 1981 a protease secreted by epithelial cells of the prostate gland that is used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer since its concentration in blood serum tends to be proportional to the clinical stage of the disease abbreviation PSA … New Collegiate Dictionary
prostate-specific antigen — (Medicine) substance secreted by the epithelial cells in the prostate (often tested as an indicator for prostate cancer), PSA … English contemporary dictionary
prostate specific antigen — noun a protein manufactured exclusively by the prostate gland; PSA is produced for the ejaculate where it liquifies the semen and allows sperm cells to swim freely; elevated levels of PSA in blood serum are associated with benign prostatic… … Useful english dictionary
prostate-specific antigen — ˈ ̷ ̷ ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun : a protease that is secreted by the epithelial cells of the prostate and is used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer since its concentration in the blood serum tends to be proportional to the clinical stage of… … Useful english dictionary
prostate-specific antigen — /ˌprɒsteɪt spəsɪfɪk ˈæntədʒən/ (say .prostayt spuhsifik antuhjuhn) noun → PSA2 …
