PCA3 PROSTATE CANCER TEST

A PCA3 test is useful for men who have an elevated serum PSA

PCA3 is highly specific to Prostate Cancer

PCA3 improves diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

PCA3 helps reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies

PCA3 is non-invasive

The PCA3 urine test utilises whole urine collected following a digital rectal examination consisting of three strokes per lobe. The DRE releases prostate cells through the prostate duct system into the urinary tract, where they can be collected in the first catch urine.

Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in males in the UK, with nearly 20,000 men being diagnosed with the disease. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is currently the most important biochemical marker for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. But because of its limited specificity, clinically irrelevant tumours and benign abnormalities are also detected. In addition, PSA is used as an indicator of progression or clinical response after treatment for prostate cancer, but the prognostic value of this marker is limited. The limitation of PSA is that it is produced by both malignant and non-malignant tissue, and elevated levels are often not confirmed by biopsy.

Biopsy is considered gold standard for the detection of prostate cancer but the introduction of PCA3 may contribute to a decision on whether or not to proceed to prostate biopsy. The assay measures the expression of mRNA from the PCA3 gene. PCA3 is specific to the prostate, over expressed only by malignant tissue, and is significantly up-regulated (60-100 fold) in prostate cancer. PCA3 mRNA, along with the mRNA of PSA is measured quantitatively and examined as a ratio. High ratios have been shown to be indicative of prostate cancer. PCA3 may provide assistance in follow-up treatment in patients with an elevated serum PSA and negative biopsy results.

Higher PCA3 Scores correlate with higher probability of a positive prostate biopsy.

PCA3

By measuring the expression of mRNA from the PCA3 gene, this new assay provides greater accuracy: a positive result may indicate prostate cancer and the need for an additional biopsy; a negative result accompanied by a PSA greater than 4 ng/ml suggests that a relatively longer time interval may be acceptable between biopsies.

Click here for the Prostate Profile test which includes a PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen test.

To read more about Prostate Cancer and Prostate Disorders click here to view our Prostate Cancer fact sheet.