ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

PCA3 - Prostate Cancer Biomarker : 2001999
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Additional Technical Information
  


Mnemonic: PCA3

Ordering Recommendation: Do not use for initial prostate cancer screening. Preferred test is total prostate specific antigen (PSA) (0070121) in conjunction with digital rectal exam. May be used to follow up an indeterminate PSA result. Also useful in assessing the need for a repeat biopsy in patients with elevated total PSA and an initial negative biopsy.
Methodology: Transcription-Mediated Amplification/Hybridization Protection Assay
Performed: Varies
Reported: 3-6 days
Specimen Required: Collect: Urine. Collect according to PCA3 specimen collection kit instructions (ARUP Supply # 45682). Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787.

Specimen Preparation: Transfer two 2 mL aliquots of urine to individual GenProbe APTIMA® Tubes. (Min: 2 mL/each tube.)

Storage/Transport Temperature: Frozen.

Remarks: Complete patient clinical and therapeutic history, including diagnostic information, is required.

Unacceptable Conditions: Specimens not collected in a PCA3 urine collection kit. Less than 2 ml of urine in each tube.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: up to 4 days is acceptable, but not preferred; Frozen: Indefinitely
Reference Interval:
By report
CPT Code(s): 81479
Cross References: CaPDETECT:PCA3 (PCA3 - Prostate Cancer Biomarker)