Is Elevated PSA Means Prostatitis?
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is an antigen associated with the prostate. Under normal circumstances, PSA is secreted into semen. It plays a physiological role in the division of seminal vesicles and the liquefaction of semen. Normally, only very low levels of PSA are present in the blood. The increase in the concentration of PSA in the serum indicates pathological changes or trauma to the prostate. PSA levels are elevated in the vast majority of prostate cancer patients.
The reasons for PSA elevation.
The elevation in PSA is not unique to prostate cancer. It is related to prostatitis, prostate cancer, prostate hyperplasia, prostate massage and many other factors. In addition, elevated PSA is also related to the patient's age and prostate volume.
When prostatitis patients have elevated PSA, they don’t need to be too nervous. The increase in PSA caused by prostatitis is different from that caused by prostate cancer. After a certain period of treatment in prostatitis patients, PSA levels will gradually return to normal.
So does it mean that prostatitis is the result of elevated PSA? Actually not. PSA<4ng is a normal value, higher or lower than 4ng can only reflect the probability of having prostate cancer, not a diagnosis.
Elevated PSA does not mean suffering from prostatitis.
There are a large number of inflammatory mediators that stimulate the prostate cells to secrete a large amount of PSA, and the increase of PSA can be detected in urine, prostatic fluid and blood. But generally, it is short-term. As the acute inflammation subsides and antibacterial drugs are used, the PSA will drop quickly.
Chronic prostatitis usually does not cause PSA to rise. If there are both prostatitis and elevated PSA, it is difficult to distinguish whether it is caused by inflammation or tumor. The easiest way is to recheck after anti-inflammatory treatment. If the PSA does not change or continues to rise, consider the presence of tumors.
PSA is not a specific antigen for prostate cancer. Both normal and benign prostate epithelial cells can secrete PSA. PSA will also increase in cases of prostatitis, urinary retention, digital rectal examination, prostate trauma, and prostate biopsy.
In addition, serum PSA will also increase after sex. Therefore, when judging the clinical significance of serum PSA, the interference of the above factors should be eliminated, and a comprehensive and accurate diagnosis should be made. So, what tests should be done to confirm prostatitis?
What tests should be done to confirm prostatitis?
1. The first thing we need to do is a prostate biopsy. This examination is very effective for clarifying the nature of prostate tumors. It is also very helpful for clarifying the histological type and cytological characteristics of prostate tumors.
2. Another method is a digital anus examination. This inspection method can check the size, appearance and tenderness of the patient's prostate.
3. In addition, one of the most common methods to check the prostate is X-ray examination. For example, calcification or stone shadow can be detected through the examination. It can help us to check whether the patient has prostate hyperplasia or prostate cancer. It is a critical examination.
When prostatitis is confirmed, active treatment is necessary. Fortunately, herbal medicine Diuretic and Anti-inflammatory Pill can be adopted for radical treatment. It repairs the damaged tissues, wipes out toxins to restore the reproductive system.
From what we have known now, the elevated PSA data will relate to prostatitis. The 4ng/ml is the upper limit of the normal value of PSA value in normal population screening. In some physiological conditions, such as ejaculation, catheterization, prostatitis, prostate massage, cystoscopy, prostate puncture, etc., it will cause an increase of PSA. To sum up, the increase of PSA is not necessarily prostatitis.
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