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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Some people do not experience symptoms, so regular screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and digital rectal exams (DRE) are important for early detection. Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 5 Sep. 2024 Separately, right before the pandemic hit in February 2020, my general practitioner began noticing my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were increasing. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2024 And huge gains made in prostate cancer death rates from the mid-1990s through the early 2000s – a result of the emergence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing – appear to have leveled off since about 2012. Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 28 July 2024 Though blood tests known as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests are now the standard for screening, many men still associate prostate cancer exams with rectal exams. Robin Cole, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near prostate-specific antigen

Cite this Entry

“Prostate-specific antigen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prostate-specific%20antigen. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

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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