Final answer:
PSA measurements correlate with the volume and stage of prostate disease. The PSA test is the common examination for monitoring the progression of prostate conditions, but newer tests based on the PCA3 gene are becoming more prevalent. Increased PCA3 concentration primarily denotes the presence of cancerous cells in the prostate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurements predominantly correlate with the volume and stage of the disease in the prostate. That is, higher levels of PSA tend to be indicative of a larger tumor volume or more advanced stage of cancer, although it is not a definitive diagnostic tool. PSA levels can also increase due to benign conditions such as enlarged prostate (BDH) or infection (prostatitis).
The PSA test is widely used as a monitoring tool for tracking the progress of prostate cancer and other prostate conditions. Notably, PSA levels are monitored over time for any increase, which might suggest the progression of the disease. However, a prostate biopsy is typically the ultimate confirmatory test if prostate cancer is suspected.
Nonetheless, a newer test based on the PCA3 gene expression in prostate epithelial cells is considered a better indicator of prostate cancer situation compared to the PSA test. An increase in PCA3 concentration primarily relates to the presence of cancerous cells in the prostate.
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