REF MISC
PAP, Prostatic Acid Phosphatase
Performing Lab:
Referral Laboratory
Container Type:
Plain red top or serum gel tube
Specimen Type:
Serum
Preferred Volume:
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume:
0.2 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Collection Procedure:
NOTE: This test is NOT the same as the Acid Phosphatase test.
1. If a plain red top tube is used, transfer the separated serum to a plastic transport tube.
2. Do not use an Acid Phosphatase transport tube.
Specimen Processing:
Freeze immediately and maintain frozen until tested. Submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.
Store and Transport:
Frozen
Stability:
Room Temperature: 3 hours
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Frozen: 6 months (Freeze/thaw cycle: Stable x3)
Unacceptable Condition:
Plasma specimen and/or specimen not frozen will be rejected.
CPT Codes:
84066
Method:
Immunochemiluminometric (ICMA)
Clinical Significance:
An adjunct in the evaluation of possible prostatic malignancy and useful in monitoring therapeutic progress.
Prostatic acid phosphatase has been used as a tumor marker ever since the observation by Gutman in 1938 that elevated levels of this enzyme are found in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. PAP determination in conjunction with PSA measurements is useful in assessing the prognosis of prostate cancer. Measurement of two markers allows identification of prostate cancer patients who have an elevation of PAP but not of PSA, and thus help monitoring the course of disease and response to treatment. PAP is more specific than PSA and less false-positives are seen due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Prostatic acid phosphatase has been used as a tumor marker ever since the observation by Gutman in 1938 that elevated levels of this enzyme are found in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. PAP determination in conjunction with PSA measurements is useful in assessing the prognosis of prostate cancer. Measurement of two markers allows identification of prostate cancer patients who have an elevation of PAP but not of PSA, and thus help monitoring the course of disease and response to treatment. PAP is more specific than PSA and less false-positives are seen due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.