THE ROLE OF PSA IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND SCREENING OF BPH

Abstract

Prostate-specific antigen is a specific glycoprotein secreted by the acini and ducts of the prostate gland. It is secreted by healthy prostate cells in normal concentrations, while cancerous prostate cells secrete it in much higher concentrations. This tumor marker is tissue-specific, that is, it is specific only for prostate diseases when its concentration is many times increased. Reference values for PSA range from 0 - 4 ng/ml. Determining the concentration of tumor markers is for precise monitoring of the success of the applied therapy. Increased PSA values may mean progression and recurrence of prostate disease or inadequate response to the prescribed therapy, while reduced values indicate successfully applied therapy and an adequate response of the body to it. The prostate, as an important part of the male reproductive system, plays a role in the creation of prostatic secretions that mix with the seminal fluid from the testicles and thus sperm is created. Prostatic secretion has a nutritional and protective role for spermatozoa on their way to the egg in the uterus. The prostate is responsible for the production of the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), that is, when testosterone is converted to DHT under the action of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase in the prostate. The prostate surrounds the ureter, and therefore any disease of it such as BPH causes obstruction, that is, a delay in urination. Therefore, taking care of the general health of men is a very important part of the prevention of this disease. The level of total PSA concentration was examined in healthy male patients and patients diagnosed with BPH. The level of total PSA was also monitored in the same patients treated with appropriate therapy (Proskar, ), and the effectiveness of the prescribed therapy was determined. From the obtained results, we came to the conclusion that in the control group of patients, the levels of total PSA were within normal reference values, while in patients diagnosed with BPH, the values of total PSA significantly increased. In the treated patients with appropriate therapy, a decrease in the levels of total PSA concentration was recorded, which indicates a successfully applied therapy and an appropriate response of the organism to it.