THE ROLE OF PSA IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND SCREENING OF PROSTATE DISEASES

Prostate-specific antigen is a tumor marker specific for prostate diseases, and therefore prostate cancer is the only cancer where it is in increased concentration. This specific glycoprotein is secreted from the acini and ducts of the prostate gland, both from healthy prostate cells in normal concentrations and from cancerous prostate cells in much higher concentrations than the reference ones. Reference values for PSA are from 0 - 4 ng / ml. Increased PSA values may mean progression and recurrence of the disease or inadequate response to the prescribed therapy. In contrast, reduced values are an indicator of successfully applied therapy and an adequate response of the body to it. The prostate is a gland that is an important part of the male reproductive system, whose role is to create prostatic secretion that mixes with seminal fluid from the testicles and creates sperm. The level of total PSA concentration was examined in healthy male patients and patients diagnosed with BPH and prostate cancer. The level of total PSA was also monitored in the same patients treated with appropriate anticancer therapy (Proskar, Flutamid), and the effectiveness of the prescribed therapy was determined. The results obtained showed that in the control group of patients, the levels of total PSA were within normal reference values, while in patients diagnosed with BPH and prostate cancer, the values of total PSA significantly increased. In patients treated with anticancer therapy, a decrease in the levels of total PSA concentration was recorded, which is an indicator of successfully applied anticancer therapy and an appropriate response of the body to it.