a gene that is expressed (i.e. manifests its effects) 60–100 times more in cancerous prostate tissue than in benign prostate tissue. A test for PCA3 can be performed on urine passed just after a digital rectal examination of the prostate; uPM3 – the first such test to be developed – is a far more specific indicator of the presence of prostate cancer than tests for *prostate specific antigen (PSA), increased amounts of which are produced in both malignant and nonmalignant prostate tissue. However, the test is not as sensitive as PSA in detecting the presence of prostate cancer.
a malignant tumour (*carcinoma) of the prostate gland, a common form of cancer in elderly men. In most men it progresses slowly over many years and gives symptoms similar to those of benign enlargement of the prostate (see prostate gland). Before it was possible to test for *prostate specific antigen (PSA), the tumour had often invaded locally, spread to regional lymph nodes, and metastasized to bone before clinical presentation. By checking elevated levels of PSA or *PCA3, prostate cancer can be detected 5–10 years before the tumour would present symptomatically. If the disease is confined to the prostate, the patient may be offered active surveillance or radical *prostatectomy, radical radiotherapy, or *brachytherapy; *cryotherapy or *HIFU are available in specialized centres. In elderly patients, it may be enough to monitor the tumour growth. If the disease is outside the prostate, androgen deprivation therapy may be used; this may be achieved by *gonadorelin analogues, *anti-androgens, surgical castration, or oestrogen therapy.... prostate cancer
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