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Ontario Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
Clinical Guidelines

III. PSA TESTING : Monitoring

The PSA test is recommended for use in monitoring patients with diagnosed prostate cancer (based on positive biopsy), in order to look for recurrence. It should be repeated, in combination with DRE, at 3-6 month intervals for patients who are being monitored with "watchful waiting," at 3-6 months for patients who are being treated with hormonal therapy, and at 3-12 months for patients who have undergone radical treatment (prostatectomy or radiation therapy). The test should not be repeated more often than once a month. See Appendix A for information options on treatment.

What's the bottom line for using the PSA test to monitor patients with prostate cancer?

According to the Ontario Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Clinical Guidelines,

The use of the PSA test is recommended to monitor patients with established cancer. The PSA test should not be repeated more often than once a month.

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