PSA is primarily a tumor marker for which cancer?

PSA is primarily a tumor marker for which cancer?

• A. Prostate cancer
• B. Breast cancer
• C. Colorectal cancer
• D. Pancreatic cancer

Answer: (A)

PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, is a protein produced by the prostate gland that appears in the blood. Because this protein comes from prostate tissue, elevated PSA levels are most informative for prostate problems, especially prostate cancer. Clinically, PSA helps in initial assessment, guides decisions about biopsy, and is used to monitor response to treatment or check for recurrence after therapy. However, PSA can rise with noncancerous conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis, so it isn’t perfectly specific for cancer and must be interpreted in the context of age, symptoms, digital rectal exam, and imaging. It is not a tumor marker for breast, colorectal, or pancreatic cancers, which have different markers.

PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, is a protein produced by the prostate gland that appears in the blood. Because this protein comes from prostate tissue, elevated PSA levels are most informative for prostate problems, especially prostate cancer. Clinically, PSA helps in initial assessment, guides decisions about biopsy, and is used to monitor response to treatment or check for recurrence after therapy. However, PSA can rise with noncancerous conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis, so it isn’t perfectly specific for cancer and must be interpreted in the context of age, symptoms, digital rectal exam, and imaging. It is not a tumor marker for breast, colorectal, or pancreatic cancers, which have different markers.