Allow me to clarify. A low level of PCA3 is expressed by normal prostate cells. The PCA3 score tells the expression of PCA3 corrected for the presence of normal or BPH epithelial cells. PCA3 urine tests results are actually a ratio of PCA3 to PSA mRNA. The PCA3 test score should be used to predict the chance of a positive biopsy and presence of cancer.
Dr, I am confused. Please help clarify your response. If the PCA 3 Gene test is perfect in detecting cancer at the cellular level, why would it matter if the PSA levels are rising or not? I am not sure I understand what detecting at Cellular level means. Does this mean that the cancer cells are present, but they have not yet invaded the prostate tissue? If that is true, then that would suggest it is only a matter of time before the cancer cells already present start invading the surrounding tissue. Or, does this mean that the cancer cells already present may lay low for a long time before attacking the organ, and depending upon the age of the patient (65 in my case), the patient may be lable to live his normal life, and dies with the cancerI rather than from it. Would the PCA3 test score indicate the severity or the agressiveness of the cancer cells?
I believe I answered your question previously. On a cellular level, the specificity of PCA3 to predict prostate cancer is perfect because of the over-expression of the gene by prostate cancer cells. Elevated PCA3 levels, coupled with varying levels of elevated PSA associated with prostatitis could help clarify your diagnosis.
Sincerely,
Ash Tewari, MD
http://www.cornellroboticprostate.org
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