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The role of free prostate-specific antigen in prostate cancer detection

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Abstract

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most important serum tumor marker for prostate cancer detection. Free PSA is one of the many molecular forms of PSA that have been identified. Percent free PSA improves the specificity (elimination of unnecessary biopsies) for prostate cancer detection in men with nonsuspicious digital prostate examination and total serum PSA ranges between 4 and 10 ng/ mL. Further study is necessary to determine the optimal clinical utility of percent free PSA in men with a total serum PSA level of less than 4 ng/mL. In addition, the level of free PSA may be affected by many factors, including age, prostate volume, prostate manipulation, sample handling, and type of assay used.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Marburg 1, 600 North Wolfe Street, 21287, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Misop Han MD, Steven R. Potter MD & Alan W. Partin MD, PhD

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  1. Misop Han MD
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  2. Steven R. Potter MD
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  3. Alan W. Partin MD, PhD
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Han, M., Potter, S.R. & Partin, A.W. The role of free prostate-specific antigen in prostate cancer detection. Curr Urol Rep 1, 78–82 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-000-0039-8

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