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

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

The public summary of his visit listed several tests doctors performed, but not a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 19 May 2025

Many prostate cancers in the U.S. are detected with a blood test that measures prostate-specific antigen (PSA). —Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 21 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