Private MD News

Researchers uncover method by which PSA increases prostate cancer risk

Category: Prostate

The PSA test is widely recognized as the most useful measure of a man’s prostate cancer risk. Doctors have long noted an association between elevated PSA levels and increased odds of developing the disease. However, the precise reasons behind this association have remained cloudy.

Until now. A team of researchers from Duke University have discovered exactly why it is such a bad thing for the body to start producing higher levels of PSA, or prostate specific antigen. It is the first explanation of the process that doctors across the world rely upon to diagnose a potentially deadly disease.

After examining human prostate cancer tissue, the researchers found that tumors begin producing PSA in small quantities. At first, this is not necessarily dangerous. However, PSA proteins begin binding with antibodies to form a complex, which eventually starts feeding tumor growth. Once this process begins, the cancer is more able to grow and spread.

The researchers said that the explanation of this process only serves to underscore the importance of PSA testing for all men above a certain age.

"The use of PSA to make the initial diagnosis of prostate cancer has become controversial over the past decade," Pizzo said. "I personally believe a rapidly rising value and/or a very high value is reason for concern."