Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): Clinical Applications of Monitoring Treatment

This version of the course is no longer available.
Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Tumor Markers (retired 12/7/2020). Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Tumor Markers (retired 12/7/2020) (online CE course)
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): Clinical Applications of Monitoring Treatment

Treatment of prostate cancer includes:
  • Radiation therapy
  • Hormonal treatment (anti-androgen therapy)
  • Radical prostatectomy
Using PSA to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy is widely employed. A decrease in PSA level in response to treatment indicates a degree of success; less tumor mass results in a lower production of PSA.
A radical prostatectomy is the complete removal of the prostate. Since PSA is found ONLY in prostatic tissue, the complete removal of the prostate should result in the absence of PSA in the blood. Any residual or detectable blood levels may be indicative of a metastasis of a tumor of prostatic tissue that is producing PSA, which has a poor prognosis.