When PSA results raise concern, additional tools such as the FDA-approved 4Kscore® Test provide individual risk probability of aggressive prostate cancer before decision on biopsy.
Elevated PSA: What Happens Next?
Although an elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level can be concerning, it does not necessarily mean prostate cancer is present. PSA levels can be influenced by several factors, like benign prostate enlargement (BPH), inflammation, infection, and other non-cancerous prostate conditions.
An elevated PSA is one piece of information your healthcare provider uses to evaluate your prostate health. Before deciding on how to proceed with your care—including whether a prostate biopsy is appropriate—they will consider your overall clinical picture and whether additional testing may provide more information.
For some men, biomarker tests, such as the FDA-approved 4Kscore® Test, may help assess the likelihood of finding aggressive prostate cancer before deciding whether a prostate biopsy is necessary.
Every situation is unique, and decisions about additional testing or a biopsy should be made together with your healthcare provider.
Understanding Your Elevated PSA
Your healthcare provider will review several factors to better understand what your PSA result may mean, including:
- Your age and overall health
- Past PSA levels and how they have changed over time
- Family history of prostate cancer
- Digital rectal exam (DRE) findings
- Previous prostate biopsy results, if applicable
- Medical conditions or medications that may affect PSA
Additional Evaluation May Be Recommended
Depending on your individual situation, your healthcare provider may recommend:
- Repeating the PSA test
- Additional blood or urine biomarker tests
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate
- Continued monitoring over time
- A prostate biopsy
Not every man with an elevated PSA will need all of these tests. Your healthcare provider can help determine which approach may be appropriate for you.
When More Information Can Help
A major challenge with PSA testing is that it cannot distinguish between aggressive prostate cancer, slow-growing (indolent) prostate cancer, and non-cancerous prostate conditions.
Additional biomarker testing can provide more information before making a prostate biopsy decision. The FDA-approved 4Kscore® Test combines four prostate-specific biomarkers with clinical information to provide a personalized probability score that assesses your likelihood of finding aggressive prostate cancer on biopsy.
Additional information can support more informed discussions between you and your healthcare provider to better understand your options.
Questions to Ask Your
Healthcare Provider
If you have an elevated PSA result, you may wish to ask your healthcare provider:
- What could be causing my PSA level to be elevated?
- Should my PSA test be repeated?
- Would additional testing provide more information before deciding on a biopsy?
- Does a prostate biopsy make sense for me at this time?
- Would a biomarker test, such as the 4Kscore® Test, be helpful in my situation?