Protein PSA is a specific prostatic antigen, the production of which is carried out by the tissues of the prostate gland. This protein is required to liquefy male sperm. It is worth noting that a larger amount of this substance is produced by malignant neoplasms. That is why PSA is used as an oncomarker for prostate cancer. In this case, any pathological process can affect the amount of protein produced. Therefore, the analysis of PSA with prostatitis is mandatory. It will allow to identify oncology or adenoma.
Why protein levels rise
To determine the level of protein, a PSA blood test is taken for general prostatitis. The norm of the antigen is not more than 4 ng / ml. The production of this protein increases significantly with the formation of malignant cells. Otherwise, the production of antigen increases due to other factors:
- PSA levels may increase as a result of infection, which is accompanied by an inflammatory process. In this case, there is a violation of the barrier functions of tissues, which allows the substance to gradually penetrate the blood.
- Protein can enter the bloodstream more actively if overgrown tissues with benign prostatic hyperplasia begin to put pressure on other tissues of the organ.
It is worth noting that the analysis of PSA with prostatitis reveals any deviations and abnormalities in the functioning of the prostate gland. Most men who have an elevated antigen level do not suffer from oncology. Protein concentration may increase as a result of surgery on the bladder or prostate biopsy, as well as ejaculation and prolonged exercise.
When an analysis is prescribed
Not only with prostatitis, you need to take an analysis for PSA. Such a laboratory study is prescribed:
- To monitor how prostate cancer progresses. That allows you to check the effectiveness of the selected therapy.
- If you suspect a tumor of the prostate. This can happen as a result of other studies: ultrasound, rectal digital examination and so on.
- For prevention. Such an analysis is prescribed for men over 40 to detect an increase in PSA levels.
- After antitumor treatment, which was carried out after the detection of prostate cancer. After such therapy, it is recommended to undergo such an examination every 3 months.
Analysis preparation
To pass an analysis of PSA with prostatitis, you need to carefully prepare. Otherwise, the protein levels will be incorrect. Experts recommend:
- 8 hours before blood donation, refuse to eat, including the use of alcohol, coffee, tea and juice.
- You should refrain from sexual intercourse 5-7 days before the test.
- An analysis should be taken 12-14 days after the examination by a urologist or before visiting this specialist.
- If a prostate massage, transrectal ultrasound, catheterization of the bladder or cystoscopy, rectal digital examination or other mechanical effects on the prostate were performed, then the analysis should be done 2 weeks after similar methods of examination, and after a biopsy of the prostate tissue, after 1 month.
A study is conducted in the laboratory for one day. For this, the patient needs to write a referral from the attending physician, prepare, and then donate blood from a vein. In some cases, determination of either total PSA or free antigen is required. This is required to make an accurate diagnosis.
How to understand the results
PSA analysis for prostatitis can be interpreted in several ways. The antigen level is usually measured in nanograms per 1 milliliter of blood. However, some experts argue that it is necessary to reduce the minimum threshold to 2.5 ng / mg. This, of course, will detect more diseases of the prostate. However, there is a risk that doctors as a result of such a test will begin to treat cancer that is not clinically relevant. During the diagnosis, only three forms of protein are taken into account:
- Prostatic free specific antigen. It is found in the blood and makes up only 20% of the total PSA level.
- Protein bound to a2-macroglobulin or a1-antichymotrypsin. Only the latest antigen can be determined in the laboratory.
- The total PSA is a combination of protein that penetrates the blood.
What indicates prostatitis
Prostatitis, in fact, is not a malignant disease. After all, it does not even increase the likelihood of developing cancer of the gland. However, regular monitoring of PSA levels allows a specialist to correctly adjust therapy aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process.
If the concentration of antigen is from 4 to 10 ng / ml, then this may indicate the development of the following ailments:
- prostatitis;
- benign prostatic hyperplasia;
- prostate oncology, in this case, the risk of diagnosing this disease increases by 25%.
It is worth noting that experts call this indicator of PSA level a gray zone. If the concentration of antigen increases more than 10 ng / ml, then the likelihood of developing an oncological process increases by approximately 67%.
Often the level of general PSA directly depends on the type of prostate ailment. Such an analysis is often used for differential diagnosis.
How to determine the disease
If the PSA blood test for general prostatitis is carried out correctly, and the protein level is at least 4 ng / ml and not more than 10 ng / ml, then when diagnosing, doctors look at the following protein fractions and their ratios:
- Reducing the concentration of free antigen increases the risk of cancer. This is due to the fact that malignant cells produce a large amount of a1-atichimotrypsin. This increases the bound protein concentration.
- An increase in the concentration of free antigen, on the contrary, reduces the risk of developing oncology. Moreover, this indicator may also indicate the presence of chronic prostatitis.
Additional data
A PSA blood test is common for prostatitis, the cost of which is specified in the clinic, it is recommended to take it to men over the age of 50 years every year. At the same time, to improve the test, specialists introduced additional indicators that allow us to consider the protein in accordance with various parameters.
During the analysis, PSA density is taken into account. This allows you to calculate the concentration of antigen in relation to the size of the gland itself, which are determined by transrectal ultrasound. A low protein density may indicate that the main reason for its growth lies in the development of prostatitis.
PSA speed is also taken into account. This is a comparison of antigen for specific periods of time. If the rate increases rapidly, then the doctor can diagnose acute prostatitis or the initial stage of cancer.
Protein Levels Must Be Tracked
Only a PSA blood test with prostatitis allows you to track the protein level. The features of this test must be known by a specialist. For example, recent studies have proven that it is prostatitis that can lead to an increase in serum antigen levels. A test should be taken even in cases where there are no signs of inflammation and a digital rectal examination did not reveal any anomalies, and the rate of increase in PSA concentration increased.
Such phenomena primarily indicate that the main organ of the reproductive system performs poorly due to certain violations. If there are sharp jumps in indicators, then experts recommend:
- If the protein level has increased significantly, then it is worth checking for signs of prostatitis, as well as genitourinary infection.
- After treatment for prostatitis or a genitourinary infection, a second PSA test should be taken.
Even if prostatitis has not been diagnosed , it is still worth doing another test for antigen. If the protein level remains elevated, the doctor may order a biopsy. This will allow either to exclude or confirm the development of oncology.
In conclusion
How much does PSA analysis for prostatitis cost? The price of such a test is from 600 rubles and above. At the same time, in some clinics, the patient must additionally pay for taking blood from a vein. The exact price can be clarified in the laboratory.
It is worth noting that there is no direct evidence that prostatitis leads to prostate cancer. Malignant cells do not always form. However, histological signs of prostatitis are often found by specialists precisely in the study of prostate cancer. Therefore, a blood test for the amount of PSA should be carried out regularly.