prostate-specific antigen

noun

pros·​tate-spe·​cif·​ic antigen

: a protease secreted by epithelial cells of the prostate gland that is used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer since its concentration in blood serum tends to be proportional to the clinical stage of the disease

—abbreviation PSA

Examples of prostate-specific antigen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The blood test, called Stockholm3, is showing promise in clinical trials, beating out the traditional, standard prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026

At the time, he was being treated for diverticulitis when his doctor ordered a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026

When pressed by Braver about whether the White House physicians should have caught this diagnosis while her husband was in office, Jill Biden cited medical testing standards to discontinue prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for older patients. — Sarah Davis, The Hill, 29 May 2026

Among last month’s memorable Super Bowl ads was one promoting a prostate-specific antigen test, a finger-free blood test. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prostate-specific antigen

• trigone

Medical Definition

prostate-specific antigen

noun

: a protease that is secreted by the epithelial cells of the prostate and is used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer since its concentration in the blood serum tends to be proportional to the clinical stage of the disease

—abbreviation PSA