What PSA levels are considered safe and unsafe?

The prostate specific antigen (PSA) level has several thresholds ranging from 2.0 to 6.5 ng/dL depending upon patient age or prostate volume. But we must treat men, not numbers! We have diagnosed cancers in the setting "safe" or low PSA's, when the DRE revealed a nodule. Conversely, an elevated PSA is likely to be a manifestation of benign prostate enlargement or inflammation. Prostate cancer screening is a shared decision-making process.

Published on Jul 11, 2012