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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for prostate-specific antigen

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prostate-specific antigen was in 1979

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Cite this Entry

“Prostate-specific antigen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prostate-specific%20antigen. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on prostate-specific antigen

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