Pathology

Test & Collection Guide

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Prostatic Specific Antigen

Alternate names:

PSA

Laboratory:

Biochemistry

Test Code:

PSA

Specimen types:

Serum

Container types:

Serum tube with gel

Collection Instructions:

Transport specimen at Room Temperature to lab
Sample haemolysis may make this test unreportable

Minimum Adult Volume:

1 mL

Notes:

Although PSA does not meet requirements for a screening test, it may be useufl to perform in certain populations. Levels may correlate with tumour bulk and clinical stage, but significant elevations have also been seen in benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and can be seen in prostatitis, and after trauma to prostate (e.g. post bike ride).

Reference intervals are age-related, however the threshold for investigating for possible prostate cancer is not. For more detail, please see https://www.cancer.org.au/clinical-guidelines/prostate-cancer/psa-testing

Frequency:

Daily

Result Turnaround Time:

5 hours