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HelpTest Code PSAFT Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), Total and Free, Serum
Reporting Name
PSA Total and Free, SUseful For
As an aid in distinguishing prostate cancer from benign prostatic conditions in men aged 50 years and older with total PSA between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL with digital rectal examination findings that are not suspicious for cancer
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
SerumOrdering Guidance
This test may be ordered for patients undergoing evaluation of suspicion of prostate cancer, or for assessing the risk of prostate cancer in patients with borderline or moderately increased total prostate-specific antigen (4.0-10.0 ng/mL).
Necessary Information
Include patient's age.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial within 3 hours of collection.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.75 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 90 days | |
| Refrigerated | 72 hours |
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
84153
84154
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| PSAFT | PSA Total and Free, S | 53764-7 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| TPSA | Total PSA | 83112-3 |
| FPSA | Free PSA | 83113-1 |
| PSA_R | Free PSA/PSA Ratio | 12841-3 |
Clinical Information
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein produced by the prostate gland, the lining of the urethra, and the bulbourethral gland. Normally, very little PSA is secreted in the blood. Increases in glandular size and tissue damage caused by benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis, or prostate cancer may increase circulating PSA levels.
PSA exists in serum in multiple forms: complexed to alpha-1-anti-chymotrypsin (PSA-ACT complex), unbound (free PSA), and enveloped by alpha-2-macroglobulin (not detected by immunoassays).
Higher total PSA levels and lower percentages of free PSA are associated with higher risks of prostate cancer.
Most prostate cancers are slow growing, so the utility of prostate cancer screening is marginal in most men with a life expectancy of less than 10 years.
Interpretation
When total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration is below 2.0 ng/mL, the probability of prostate cancer in asymptomatic men is low, further testing and free PSA may provide little additional information. When total PSA concentration is above 10.0 ng/mL, the probability of cancer is high and prostate biopsy is generally recommended.
The total PSA range of 4.0 to 10.0 ng/mL has been described as a diagnostic "gray zone," in which the free PSA:total PSA ratio helps to determine the relative risk of prostate cancer (see table). Therefore, some urologists recommend using the free PSA:total ratio to help select which men should undergo biopsy. However, even a negative result of prostate biopsy does not rule-out prostate cancer. Up to 20% of men with negative biopsy results have subsequently been found to have cancer.
Based on free PSA:total PSA ratio: the percent probability of finding prostate cancer on a needle biopsy by age in years:
|
Free PSA:total PSA ratio |
50-59 years |
60-69 years |
70 years and older |
|
≤0.10 |
49% |
58% |
65% |
|
0.11-0.18 |
27% |
34% |
41% |
|
0.19-0.25 |
18% |
24% |
30% |
|
>0.25 |
9% |
12% |
16% |
Report Available
1 to 3 daysSpecimen Retention Time
14 daysReject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
Method Name
Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay (ECLIA)
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:
-General Request (T239)
-Oncology Test Request (T729)
Secondary ID
81944Testing Algorithm
Total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and free PSA are performed and reported on every specimen.
If the initial total PSA concentration is between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL, then the percent free PSA result will be calculated and reported.