What Is a Normal PSA Level by Age? High Level and Chart

• PSA levels between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL might suggest the possibility of prostate cancer (in about 25 percent of cases) or BPH.
• The PSA levels above 10.0 ng/mL should be urgently discussed with your doctor because these are associated with a 50 percent chance of having prostate cancer.
• The levels from 0.25 ng/mL to 4 ng/mL along with symptoms of prostate enlargement (urinary retention, ejaculation problems, and inability to maintain urine flow) must be investigated further with sonography, a digital rectal examination, and patient history.

The amount by which the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels rise in a year is called PSA velocity. Thus, if the initial PSA reading is about 10 ng/mL and it rises rapidly year on year, this can point to early-stage prostate cancer.

• Most research indicates that an increase of 0.75 ng/mL a year is an early indicator of prostate cancer if a man has a total PSA result between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/mL.
• An increase of 2.0 ng/mL over a year predicts a higher likelihood of death due to aggressive prostate cancer.
• PSA velocity may help predict survivability from prostate cancer.
• Men with a PSA increase of 0.35 ng/ML or less over a year have a 92 percent survival rate.
• Men with PSA levels of more than 0.35 ng/mL over a year have a 54 percent survival rate.

Early diagnosis and regular screening can aid in both the diagnosis and decision on treatment when it comes to prostate cancers.

1. Phi test: The Prostate Health Index (PHI or Phi) combines three blood tests for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), total PSA, free PSA, and pro-PSA. These are different fractions of PSA antigens found in the blood. Experts believe that these values give a more accurate Phi score and better determine the probability of finding cancer during a biopsy.
2. PCA3: This is a urine test that accurately detects the risk of prostate cancer by examining the expression of the PCA3 gene, a gene-specific to prostate cancer.
3. 4KScore: Another blood test measures total PSA, free PSA, intact PSA, and certain enzymes called kallikrein. A special computer-based algorithm used with the patient’s age and physical exam gives a probability of having aggressive prostate cancer.

However, none of these tests are conclusive on their own. When performed in addition to a PSA test, a digital rectal exam and biopsy can provide more information about specific cancer.