Myth 10
Can you imagine being told by a doctor that you are cancer-free when your prostate cancer goes undetected?
Each year, up to 30% of men that receive a cancer free diagnosis have undetected prostate cancer. This is because a standard prostate biopsy provides a limited evaluation by sampling less than 1% of your entire prostate. Since prostate cancer may be present in one or more small tumors, there is always a risk the biopsy needle could have missed it.
This means, that in many cases, prostate cancer can go undetected when relying on a traditional prostate biopsy diagnosis method alone. Although 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, most men have a negative prostate biopsy result.
Biomarker tests for prostate cancer are laboratory tests that measure specific substances or markers in the blood, urine, or tissue samples to provide information about the presence, aggressiveness, or progression of prostate cancer. These tests can be valuable tools in helping diagnose and manage prostate cancer. Here are some important biomarker tests for prostate cancer:
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA levels in the blood can indicate the presence of prostate cancer. However, PSA is not specific to cancer and can also be elevated due to other conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PSA testing, along with clinical evaluation and other tests, is commonly used for prostate cancer screening.
PSA Velocity: PSA velocity measures how quickly PSA levels rise over time. A rapid increase in PSA levels may suggest an increased risk of prostate cancer.
PSA Density: PSA density takes into account the size of the prostate gland. It divides the PSA level by the volume of the prostate, which can help determine whether a high PSA level is due to prostate cancer or benign enlargement.
Free PSA: This test measures the proportion of PSA in the bloodstream that is not bound to other proteins. A lower percentage of free PSA may suggest a higher likelihood of prostate cancer.
Prostate Health Index (phi): The phi test combines PSA, free PSA, and a type of PSA called proPSA. It provides a more specific assessment of the risk of prostate cancer than PSA alone.
4Kscore Test: This test combines four different prostate-specific markers (total PSA, free PSA, intact PSA, and human kallikrein 2) to estimate the risk of high-grade prostate cancer. It helps identify men who may benefit from a prostate biopsy.
PCA3 (Prostate Cancer Antigen 3) Test: PCA3 is a gene that is overexpressed in prostate cancer cells. A urine test for PCA3 can help assess the likelihood of prostate cancer when the PSA test results are inconclusive.
TMPRSS2-ERG Fusion: This genetic marker can be detected through urine tests and is associated with a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer Gene 3 (PCA3) and Transmembrane Protease, Serine 2 V-Ets Avian Erythroblastosis Virus E26 Oncogene Homolog (TMPRSS2-ERG) Fusion: These genetic tests are sometimes used in conjunction with the PCA3 urine test to assess the risk of prostate cancer.
Oncotype DX Prostate Cancer Test: This genomic test analyzes the expression of specific genes in prostate cancer tissue to help predict the risk of cancer recurrence and whether aggressive treatment is necessary.
These biomarker tests are often used in combination with clinical assessments, imaging studies, and biopsy results to determine the presence and characteristics of prostate cancer. The choice of which tests to use and their interpretation should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider who specializes in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.