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Urology Community

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Causes for PSA

by justlthat, Apr 16, 2008 01:08AM
Hi,

I have seen a few questions in this forum about PSA levels increasing even  after Prostate has  been removed by Surgery.

I had thought prostate is the only source  of PSA? Are there other sources of PSA ?

thanks




This discussion is related to rising psa with no prostate!.
Member Comments (1)

by Vanessa Lacuesta, Apr 16, 2008 08:24AM
Hi,

It has long been believed that PSA as the name implies is prostate specific. However, studies have shown "that PSA is also expressed in many female tissues, particularly breast tissues (in both normal and abnormal breast) and in various breast milk, nipple aspirate, and cyst fluid. It may also be interesting to note that PSA is "homologous to kallikrein, a protein found in kidneys and the pancreas". This may affect PSA levels in some cases depending on the type and sensitivity of the tests used.

Source:http://www.cancerindex.org/geneweb/KLK3.htm

Currently, the possibility of using PSA levels in establishing breast cancer prognosis in women is being considered.

After complete resection of the prostate, PSA levels need to be monitored. "Serial PSA measurements provide the most effective means of detecting early recurrence following radical prostatectomy. After surgery, most men have a rapid decline in their PSA levels, which are expected to be undetectable within a month. The failure to achieve this level is indicative of residual cancer. A PSA level elevation following a period during which it was undetectable connotes the presence of prostate cells somewhere in the body. This may be from residual normal glandular elements remaining in the bladder wall or at the apex of the prostate, but, generally, a detectable and rising PSA level indicates the presence of cancer cells."

(http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3465.htm)

I hope I am able to answer your question.

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