Does having a higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level mean a worse prostate cancer prognosis?

Yes. In general, a higher PSA level means a poorer prostate cancer prognosis.

PSA is a protein made by cells in the prostate. When cancer cells form in the prostate, they tend to make a lot of PSA. Having prostate cancer often causes high levels of PSA in the blood.

When you're diagnosed with prostate cancer, your PSA level gives your health care provider important information. Your PSA level helps your provider decide how likely it is that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. It also helps your provider decide how likely it is that your cancer will be cured with treatment. Other clues about your prognosis come from your cancer's stage, grade and Gleason score.

If you have prostate cancer and you're worried about your prognosis, talk with your provider.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

We use the data you provide to deliver you the content you requested. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, we may combine your email and website data with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, we will only use your protected health information as outlined in our Notice of Privacy Practices. You may opt out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the email.

Aug. 06, 2025 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. ​Gleason score grading for prostate cancer
  2. Ablation therapy
  3. Active surveillance for prostate cancer
  4. Alternative cancer treatments: 11 options to consider
  5. Biopsy: Types of biopsy procedures used to diagnose cancer
  6. Blood in urine (hematuria)
  7. Bone scan
  8. Brachytherapy
  9. Cancer blood tests: Lab tests used in cancer diagnosis
  10. Cancer treatment
  11. Cancer treatment myths: Any truth to these common beliefs?
  12. Chemo targets
  13. Chemotherapy
  14. Chemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment
  15. Chemotherapy and sex: Is sexual activity OK during treatment?
  16. Chemotherapy for prostate cancer
  17. Chemotherapy nausea and vomiting: Prevention is best defense
  18. Choline C-11 PET scan
  19. Cryoablation for cancer
  20. Cryotherapy for prostate cancer
  21. CT scan
  22. Doppler ultrasound: What is it used for?
  23. External beam radiation for prostate cancer
  24. Frequent sex: Does it protect against prostate cancer?
  25. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
  26. Hormone therapy for prostate cancer
  27. Magic mouthwash
  28. Monoclonal antibody medicines for cancer: How they work
  29. Mouth sores caused by cancer treatment: How to cope
  30. MRI
  31. MRI
  32. Orchestrating Care (and robotic surgery) for Prostate Cancer - Mayo Clinic
  33. PALS (Pets Are Loving Support)
  34. Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC)
  35. Prostate biopsy
  36. Prostate cancer
  37. Prostate cancer FAQs
  38. Prostate cancer prevention: Ways to reduce your risk
  39. Prostate cancer screening: Should I get a prostate check?
  40. Prostate cancer treatment: Surgery vs. radiation
  41. Prostatectomy (prostate removal surgery)
  42. Proton beam therapy
  43. Proton therapy
  44. Proton therapy for prostate cancer
  45. PSA test
  46. PSA: To Test or Not To Test
  47. Radiation for prostate cancer
  48. Radiation therapy
  49. Robotic heart surgery – What you should know and what you should ask
  50. Robotic heart surgery: What you should know and what you should ask
  51. Robotic prostatectomy
  52. Robotic surgery
  53. SBRT for prostate cancer: How it compares to other treatments
  54. Seeing inside the heart with MRI
  55. Symptom Checker
  56. Testosterone and prostate cancer: What's the connection?
  57. Types of prostate cancer: Common and rare forms
  58. Ultrasound
  59. What is prostate cancer? A Mayo Clinic expert explains