What is commonly used to monitor recurrence or progression of prostate cancer?

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by both normal and malignant cells of the prostate gland. It is most commonly used as a biomarker to monitor individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer. After initial treatment, such as surgery or radiation, PSA levels are regularly measured because rising levels may indicate recurrence or progression of the disease. Thus, it serves as an important tool in clinical practice for tracking the status of prostate cancer over time.

In contrast, blood glucose levels, liver function tests, and complete blood count (CBC) do not serve as reliable indicators of prostate cancer specifically. Blood glucose levels are primarily used to assess diabetes and metabolic conditions, liver function tests evaluate the health of the liver and detect liver diseases, and a CBC is used to assess overall health and identify various conditions such as infections or anemia. None of these provide specific information about prostate cancer recurrence or progression like PSA does.