One of the problems of having a PSA that is elevated but less than 10 mg/ml is the probability of detecting prostate cancer. After we have determined you have an elevated PSA, usually a prostate biopsy is recommended. In those men with a PSA less than 10, there is a 1 in 6 chance that prostate cancer will be detected by a biopsy. In many cases, it is not clear if the prostate cancer was missed on biopsy of it they actually do not have prostate cancer.

EPCA-2 is a biomarker that may help in determining if men have prostate cancer or not. It seems to be highly specific for prostate cancer. It also seems preliminary that it may detect extracapsular spead of prostate cancer.

 

It is important to note that this serum maker (blood test) is preliminary. It still has to be validated by the Food and Drug Administration.

 

Until a recommendation from the FDA or the AUA regarding serum biomarkers/EPCA-2, urologist will continue to use the proven method of PSA monitoring and offering prostate biopsies to those who are at risk.