Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most widely used oncologic biomarker in PCa. Its use has allowed for early detection of disease, primarily in asymptomatic patients, and thus allowed for fewer patients to present with advanced disease. However, PSA has inherent limitations; it is organ-specific, not cancer-specific and can be elevated in a variety of benign prostatic conditions (eg, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis). Although cancer can be detected in patients with low PSA levels, generally, the higher the PSA value, the higher the risk for disease.
Certain biomarkers are analyzed only in specific patients. For patients who have a known family history of familial cancer risk mutation (in pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends testing for BRCA1/2, ATM, PALB, CHEK2, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM.
Learn more about PSA.
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Cite this: Chad R. Tracy. Fast Five Quiz: Prostate Cancer Molecular and Biomarker Analysis - Medscape - Aug 11, 2023.
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