In addition to carcinoma of the prostate, elevated prostate-specific antigen can occur due to:

• A. Aspirin therapy
• B. Exogenous steroid use
• C. Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• D. Statin therapy (cholesterol-lowering drug)

Answer: (C)

Prostate-specific antigen is produced by prostate tissue, so its level in the blood rises when there is more PSA being produced or when the tissue barrier is disrupted. Although a higher PSA can signal cancer, many noncancerous conditions can also elevate PSA. Benign prostatic hyperplasia, the gradual enlargement of the prostate with age, increases the amount of PSA-producing tissue and can cause a rise in PSA levels. This makes it a common benign explanation for an elevated PSA in men who might also have prostate cancer.

The other options don’t typically cause a PSA increase. Aspirin, exogenous steroids, and statin therapy don’t have a direct effect on PSA production in the prostate.