Posted on 29th September, 2023 at 7:20:14 AM
Digital rectal examination- The rectum is located close to the prostate gland. The doctor will examine the through the rectum. If your prostate gland is cancerous, it may feel very hard and nodular. However, very often, the prostate may feel quite normal, even though cancer cells are present. This is major disadvantage of DRE
PSA test- A sample of blood is taken for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). A small amount of PSA is generally found in blood. Men who have Prostate cancer tend to have more amount of PSA in their blood. However, the PSA test cannot be always relied upon and sometimes, men who have prostate cancer will have normal PSA. The increase in the PSA level could be also due to several other factors such as urine infections, recent prostate biopsies, having a urinary catheter, prostate or bladder surgery or a prostatic massage etc. PSA levels higher than normal may be due to prostate cancer or other causes. A biopsy often recommended by doctor if PSA is persistently elevated.
TRUS guided Prostate Biopsy- Biopsy is recommended if PSA is persistently elevated or DRE shows abnormal features. Numerous samples of tissue (usually 12 from all the sites of prostate) are taken by biopsy from the prostate for pathological examination. The biopsy is generally performed under Transrectal ultrasound scan.
If the biopsy shows the presence of prostate cancer, several other tests performed to determine the stages of diseases
Radio-Isotope bone scan
MRI scan
PSMA PET Scan
Abdomino Pelvic CT Scan
The only test that can fully confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer is a Biopsy, the removal of small pieces of the prostate for microscopic examination. However, prior to a biopsy, less invasive testing can be conducted.
There are also several other tests that can be used to gather more information about the prostate and the urinary tract. Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) may allow a doctor to detect prostate abnormalities.
Cystoscopy shows the urinary tract from inside the bladder, using a thin, flexible camera tube inserted down the urethra. Transrectal ultrasonography creates a picture of the prostate using sound waves from a probe in the rectum.
