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

It’s almost always detected via a routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, a screening blood test that most men undergo every couple of years or so starting around age 50 for those with average risk. —Angela Haupt, Time, 27 June 2025

Men whose blood tests show elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate gland, should get annual screenings, according to the ACS. —Aria Bendix, NBC news, 19 May 2025

He was later diagnosed with prostate cancer, despite feeling healthy and active, and received a follow-up prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test in April, which confirmed the diagnosis. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 6 June 2025

Prostate cancer is often detected with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 20 May 2025

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