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What Causes Elevated PSA Levels?
Question: A high PSA is measured and then a digital exam shows a "normal" size prostrate. what does this mean? t
Brief Answer:
can't feel all of prostate with rectal exam
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
When doctors do a digital rectal exam they can only feel one side of the prostate. There can be small areas of cancer or abnormal cells that can not be felt on rectal exam. Also there are other things besides cancer that can cause an elevated PSA. Infection and benign prostatic hypertrophy can also cause an elevated PSA. If it is very elevated then your doctor may want you to have a prostate biopsy to make sure it is not cancer.
I wish you the best,
Dr. Robinson
can't feel all of prostate with rectal exam
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
When doctors do a digital rectal exam they can only feel one side of the prostate. There can be small areas of cancer or abnormal cells that can not be felt on rectal exam. Also there are other things besides cancer that can cause an elevated PSA. Infection and benign prostatic hypertrophy can also cause an elevated PSA. If it is very elevated then your doctor may want you to have a prostate biopsy to make sure it is not cancer.
I wish you the best,
Dr. Robinson
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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