How is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:13:41 +0000

Unfortunately, most men do not experience noticeable symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer. There are a few symptoms which are associated with prostate cancer, which mainly include urinary problems.

1 in 6 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States

PSA Test

Man Getting MRI

The PSA Test is a prostate-specific antigen and is considered to be one of the most effective ways to diagnosis prostate cancer. It’s a blood test, which screens and measures a protein made by the prostate that normally is present in the blood. Men who have prostate cancer will see that the amount of protein within their blood will increase.

A PSA count of 0 to 4 ng/ml would be considered below normal. A PSA count of 4 to 10 ng/ml is considered to be slightly elevated. A PSA count of 10 to 20 ng/ml is moderately elevated and a PSA count that is above 20 ng/ml is highly elevated.

Only one abnormal PSA Test doesn’t necessarily mean that someone has prostate cancer.

Digital Rectal Exam

With a digital rectal exam (DRE), the doctor will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into the man’s rectum to feel the prostate. The doctor is feeling around for roughness and irregular unevenness to the tissue. If an enlarged prostate feels smooth, it likely is not cancerous.

MRI Scan

An MRI Scan is sometimes used to diagnose prostate cancer. They can be used to create a clear picture of the prostate gland.

Ultrasound

There is a type of ultrasound called transrectal ultrasonography, which can be used to examine the prostate.

CT Scan

A CT Scan can help show areas of dense tissue, like tumors.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a medical procedure where a sample of the suspected cancerous tumor. This is a very accurate method of deciphering whether or not someone has prostate cancer.

There are various stages of prostate cancer. An Oncologist, who is a physician specializing in the treatment of cancer, utilize various tests to determine which stage of cancer the patient is in. They look at the stage of development as well as the arrangement of cancer cells. The patient’s doctor comes up with an appropriate treatment plan based on which stage of cancer the patient is in.

Testosterone, age, heredity and diet are often the main contributing factors to prostate cancer. Some studies have found that a diet high in animal fat may be a lead contributor to prostate cancer.

Detection for the Causes and Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:21:45 +0000

Surrounding the urethra, the prostate is defined as the male reproductive gland that produces the fluid that carries the sperm after ejaculation. An enlarged prostate is one that has gotten bigger, pressing on the urethra, thus causing urination and bladder problems. However, this condition does not necessarily correlate to the development of prostate cancer although they share similar symptoms and the cancer can go undetected.

Screening for prostate cancer is key to detecting it in its early stages

It involves looking for signs of the disease in people who have no symptoms, thus looking for early-stage disease at a point when treatment may be more effective. The main screening tools for prostate cancer are the digital rectal examination (DRE) and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. These tests cannot tell if you have cancer. The DRE or digital (finger) rectal examination is a quick exam whereby a doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into the patient’s rectum. The doctor can feel the back portion of the prostate for size and any irregularities. The antigen in PSA is a substance that is produced by cells from the prostate gland and released into the blood. During the PSA test, a small amount of blood is drawn from the arm and the doctor will check to see if the PSA level is normal or compare the results of one PSA test with another. The higher the PSA level in the blood, the more likely a prostate problem is present.

The American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association urge that men get screened when they reach the age of 50, 40 to 45 years of age for men who are considered high risk, such as African American men and men who have a familial history prostate cancer.

The prostate tube surrounds the urethra which is the tube that carries the urine out of the body. When the prostate becomes enlarged, it blocks the tube, thereby causing the flow of urine to be disrupted. Other symptoms of BPH include: (1) Slowness or dribbling of your urinary stream; (2) trouble urinating; (3) increase in frequency of urination; (4) urgency or sudden need to urinate; (5) nighttime urination.

To determine the cause of the above-named symptoms, other tests include a urinalysis, the seven-question BPH Symptom Score Index survey, the urine flow study and a test that detects how much urine remains in the bladder following urination.

Although no test is completely accurate, the PSA test detects the presence of small cancers, especially those toward the front or sides of the prostate gland, or deep within it. The DRE can be an additional test for men who have normal PSA levels.

Testing is an individual choice and should be made after discussion with your family health care provider. Knowing the risk factors and your susceptibility to those risk factors will aid in determining whether you should be tested. When found early, treatments can be very effective and can prevent the development of prostate cancer.

Prostate Health » digital rectal exam

How is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?

Suggested Reading

Detection for the Causes and Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate

Suggested Reading