Elevated PSA Treated by Top Urology Doctors at Mercy

A PSA (prostate specific antigen) test is a standard prostate cancer screening test. An elevated PSA can be a symptom of prostate cancer and helps our doctors diagnose prostate cancer. Generally, men between the ages of 40 – 75 and those that have an increased risk for prostate cancer are encouraged to get a PSA screen.

An elevated PSA level is often an indication of prostate cancer, but anything that irritates the prostate can cause the PSA numbers to rise. An infection in the prostate (prostatitis) can elevate PSA levels and so can an enlarged prostate.

A PSA screening test is a common diagnostic tool for detecting prostate cancer. PSA is a protein produced by prostate cells. It increases when the prostate is irritated or enlarged or infected. A simple blood test that is analyzed for the amount of PSA in the blood, a PSA screen helps our doctors make a comprehensive diagnosis. 

Elevated PSA can be an indication of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer treatment options vary and depend on age, how far the cancer has spread, the PSA reading, and the patient’s overall health. Typical treatments for prostate cancer include:

• Active monitoring if the cancer is low-risk and has not spread within the body or if the patient is an older man with other health complications
• Surgery to remove the prostate gland
• Minimally invasive surgeries that include laparoscopic or robotic assisted surgery that can minimize scarring and allow for quicker recovery times
• Radiation treatment that is administered either internally or externally:
  • Internal Brachytherapy Radiation delivers in one dose tiny radioactive seeds that are inserted into the prostate slowly releasing radiation directly to the cancer.
  • Radiotherapy radiation (TrueBeam™ system) delivers high energy rays with pinpoint accuracy and in just minutes.