RNPedia PNLE Nursing Practice 3 Test 1 Practice

Elevated levels of which marker may indicate prostate cancer?

Acid phosphatase level Serum calcitonin level Alkaline phosphatase level Carcinoembryonic antigen level

Correct Answer:

Acid phosphatase level

Explanation:

Elevated levels of acid phosphatase reflect activity of the prostate. Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) is an enzyme produced by prostate cells, and its levels in the blood can rise with prostate cancer, especially with bone metastases. This marker was used historically to help indicate prostate cancer and monitor response to treatment, though it’s been largely superseded by PSA today. The other options point to different cancers or conditions: calcitonin is associated with medullary thyroid carcinoma; alkaline phosphatase rises with bone or liver disease in general; CEA is a marker for colorectal and several other cancers. Thus, elevated acid phosphatase is the best indicator among these for prostate cancer.

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