Clinical significance:
PAP is a member of
the group of acid phosphatases (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. High
concentrations are found in the prostate gland. Significant amounts are also
found in platelets, bone, spleen, kidney and liver. PAP is a major constituent in seminal fluid and is also secreted in urine. PAP is normally presents in the serum at low levels. The alternative tests are as follows: Prostatic acid phosphatase test; Serum acid phosphatase; Male PAP test.
The acid phosphatases are a diverse group of isoenzymes which are classified on the basis of their increasing electrophoretic mobility. These isoenzymes are capable of hydrolyzing phosphate esters in an acidic media. The major PAP fraction is isoenzyme 2, glycoproteins synthesized by the prostate gland with a molecular mass of approximately 1000,000 daltons. This test is most often performed to determine prostate cancer, and for the prognosis of 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.
what abnormal results mean
Abnormal PAP values can be obtained for many reasons. The most common reasons for abnormal PAP values include, but are not limited to:
The acid phosphatases are a diverse group of isoenzymes which are classified on the basis of their increasing electrophoretic mobility. These isoenzymes are capable of hydrolyzing phosphate esters in an acidic media. The major PAP fraction is isoenzyme 2, glycoproteins synthesized by the prostate gland with a molecular mass of approximately 1000,000 daltons. This test is most often performed to determine prostate cancer, and for the prognosis of 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.
what abnormal results mean
Abnormal PAP values can be obtained for many reasons. The most common reasons for abnormal PAP values include, but are not limited to:
- Prostate cancer
- Prostate cancer that has spread outside the prostate (particularly to bone
- Decreased blood flow to prostate
- Paget's disease (bones become thicker and softer)
- Anemia
- Infection (usually severe)
- Thrombophlebitis
- Goucher's disease
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Heart attack
- Kidney disease
- Physical stimulation of the prostate (colonoscopy, enemas, prostate examination)
- Multiple myeloma
- Prostatitis