Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP)
Alternate Names : Male PAP Test, Prostatic Acid Phosphatase Test, Serum Acid Phosphatase
DefinitionThe PAP test is a blood test that measures prostatic acid phosphatase (an enzyme found primarily in men in the prostate gland and semen) to determine the health of the prostate gland. Prostate dysfunction results in the release of PAP into the blood.
Why is the Test Performed?
This test is most often performed to determine whether you have prostate cancer, an abnormality of the prostate gland, or to follow the response of prostate cancer to treatment.
This test is no longer used routinely. The availability of the more sensitive and specific PSA assay has largely replaced the PAP test's clinical use.
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