What Tests Do Health Care Professionals Use To Diagnose Prostate Cancer
The diagnosis of prostate cancer ultimately is based on the pathologists review of tissue removed at the time of the prostate biopsy. An abnormal PSA and/or abnormal digital rectal examination often are present and are the indications for the prostate biopsy.
Digital rectal examination : As part of a physical examination, your doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into your rectum and feels toward the front of your body. The prostate gland is a walnut or larger-sized gland immediately in front of the rectum, and beneath your bladder. The back portion of the prostate gland can be felt in this manner. Findings on this exam are compared to notes about the patients prior digital rectal examinations.
The exam is usually brief, and most find it uncomfortable due to the pressure used to adequately examine the prostate gland. Findings such as abnormal size, lumps, or nodules may indicate prostate cancer.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network notes that a DRE should not be used as a stand-alone test for the detection of prostate cancer but should be performed in men with an elevated PSA. The NCCN also notes that DRE may be considered as a baseline test in all patients, as it may help identify high-grade cancers associated with a normal PSA.
If the PSA level is elevated or has increased significantly over time, further testing may be needed to rule out prostate cancer.
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Do All Men Who Are Treated For Prostate Cancer Lose Sexual And Urinary Function
Its definitely not true that all men are incontinent and impotent after treatment for prostate cancer. Urinary incontinence is usually temporary.
There can be a sexual impact for guys who have normal function. If the cancer is near their nerve bundle, theyre going to have a decrease in sexual function. If its not, and we can do bilateral nerve sparing surgery, studies show 70 percent can get back their normal sexual function. It all depends on where the cancer is. But the truth is that we cant predict very well who will be the 30 percent who will haveor still haveED some already do have ED because of age, diabetes, hypertension or renal failure.
What Kind Of Doctor Do You See For Prostate Problems
Urologist. Urologists are physicians who are trained specifically to deal with conditions of the male reproductive organs and of both the male and female urinary tracts.
Does a urologist treat prostate?
In addition to treating prostate cancer, a urologist may treat conditions such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections and male infertility. With regard to prostate cancer, many patients receive their diagnosis from a urologist.
When should I see a urologist for my prostate?
Men commonly seek a urologist if they have blood in the urine, kidney stones, difficulties emptying their bladder or an elevated PSA. A prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein found in the blood that, at elevated levels, may indicate prostate cancer.
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What If My Test Results Are Abnormal
If the results of early detection tests like the PSA screening or the digital rectal exam suggest that you might have prostate cancer, your doctor will conduct further testing. The PSA may be repeated, or you may be sent to a specialist for more tests such as a transrectal ultrasound and a prostate biopsy.
In a prostate biopsy, a tissue sample is taken from your prostate. Cancer can only be diagnosed with a tissue sample.
Recent research has yielded additional tests that in addition to the PSA and subsequent DRE and Biopsy that can give a doctor more information on to determine the probability of both finding cancer during a biopsy and determining how aggressive that cancer is likely to be. Read more on those tests.
Seeing Your Gp When You Are Worried About Prostate Cancer
You might go to see your GP because you’re worried about prostate cancer. This might be because you know someone with it or have heard about prostate cancer or the PSA test in the news.
Or you might have some urinary symptoms, such as difficulty passing urine.
Whatever reason you have, don’t delay seeing your GP. It’s important to remember that most prostate cancers don’t cause symptoms and it is more likely that any symptoms you have are due to other causes. But if it is, the earlier it is picked up the higher the chance of successful treatment. You won’t be wasting your doctor’s time.
Try not to be embarrassed. What you tell your GP is confidential. Doctors are used to discussing intimate problems and will try to put you at ease.
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What Kind Of Test Is Done For Enlarged Prostate
Another test measures postvoid residual, the amount of urine left in the bladder when urination stops. A weak urine stream and urinary retention may be signs of urine blockage caused by an enlarged prostate that is squeezing the urethra. Some urodynamic tests are performed in a health care providers office without anesthesia.
What tests check the health of your prostate?
- the PSA level often goes above 4.
- Men with a PSA level between 4 and 10 have about a 1 in 4 chance of having prostate cancer.
- the chance of having prostate cancer is over 50%.
How do you treat an infected prostate?
A recurring prostate infection is usually treated with antibiotics. Also known as chronic bacterial prostatitis, this infection is caused by bacteria in the prostate gland.
Can prostate infection be detected with an urine test?
A doctor may need to perform a blood test to diagnose the infection. To diagnose a prostate infection, a doctor may: perform a physical examination, including a digital rectal exam analyze a urine sample for signs of an infection The doctor may also order one or more of the following:
What should I expect from prostate screening?
But what should you expect from prostate cancer screening? Digital Rectal Exam . The primary method used in a prostate cancer screening is the digital rectal exam . During this test, a doctor or qualified nurse will glide a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to check the size of the prostate, while also screening for any abnormalities.
Trust The Urology Team At Lmh
If youre a man over 50, you need an experienced urologist on your care team. Theyre trained to check for prostate cancer and other urologic diseases, often before symptoms appear.
If youre experiencing urinary symptoms, Dr. Stephen Beck and Monica Davis, NP, will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that restores your health and improves your quality of life.
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Screening For Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is typically treatable if caught early. More than 90 percent of prostate cancers are found when the disease is in the beginning stages, confined to the prostate and nearby organs.
Unlike screenings for breast and colon cancers, there are no universal screening guidelines for prostate cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men age 55 to 69 weigh the benefits and risks before deciding whether they should undergo screening, which is typically performed with a blood test that measures levels of a protein called prostate-specific antigen .
However, men in high-risk groupssuch as those who are of African-American descent and/or have a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65should consider speaking with their doctor about starting screenings at an earlier age.
Men older than 70 shouldnt be routinely screened for prostate cancer, according to the USPSTF.
Regardless of age or risk factors, men should get checked if they suddenly experience issues with urination, erectile dysfunction or unexplained pain.
The USPSTF suggests that, before deciding on a screening, men should seek expert advice about the benefits and harms of screening. Risks may include:
- False positives
- Complications and side effects from biopsies to confirm a diagnosis
- The possibility that a prostate cancer diagnosis wont extend lifespan or improve quality of life
Transrectal Ultrasound And Real
If you receive an elevated PSA result or have suspicious findings on a DRE, your physician might recommend that you undergo a prostate biopsy. The most common test used for this is a transrectal ultrasound , in which an ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum and sound waves are used to create an image of the prostate gland.
During the ultrasound, biopsy samples are often collected from several areas of the prostate with a hollow needle. This is referred to as real-time biopsy or a transrectal prostate biopsy. The biopsy samples are then analyzed in a pathology laboratory to see if cancer cells are present.
Important benefits of combining the two procedures include:
- The ability to better target suspicious areas of high-grade and clinically significant tumors.
- Helping to avoid false-positive diagnoses and overdiagnosis or sampling areas unlikely to contain cancer or aggressive cancer.
- Getting a high-quality biopsy.
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How Often Should Men Have A Prostate Screening
A prostate screening is extremely important to have regularly. Because, without them, a mans health is at a high risk of developing prostate cancer. Knowing how often prostate screenings should be had can be helpful to those men who are not sure.
A mans health is just as important to maintain as a womans. But most people are under the assumption that womens health needs more attention. However, that is not true. Men are at risk of developing prostate cancer, and it can become very problematic if not addressed.
Keep reading to find out how often a man should have a prostate screening.
Use In Men Already Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer
The PSA test can also be useful if you have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
- In men just diagnosed with prostate cancer, the PSA level can be used together with physical exam results and tumor grade to help decide if other tests are needed.
- The PSA level is used to help determine the stage of your cancer. This can affect your treatment options, since some treatments are not likely to be helpful if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
- PSA tests are often an important part of determining how well treatment is working, as well as in watching for a possible recurrence of the cancer after treatment .
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How Is Prostate Cancer Treated
For many men with prostate cancer, treatment is not immediately necessary.
If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, your doctor may suggest either watchful waiting or active surveillance.
The best option depends on your age and overall health. Both options involve carefully monitoring your condition.
Some cases of prostate cancer can be cured if treated in the early stages.
Treatments include:
- radiotherapy either on its own or alongside hormone therapy
Some cases are only diagnosed at a later stage, when the cancer has spread.
If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body and cannot be cured, treatment is focused on prolonging life and relieving symptoms.
All treatment options carry the risk of significant side effects, including erectile dysfunction and urinary symptoms, such as needing to use the toilet more urgently or more often.
For this reason, some men choose to delay treatment until theres a risk the cancer might spread.
Newer treatments, such as high-intensity focused ultrasound and cryotherapy, aim to reduce these side effects.
Some hospitals may offer them as an alternative to surgery, radiotherapy or hormone therapy.
But the long-term effectiveness of these treatments is not known yet.
Do Prostate Problems Cause Other Problems
Yes, a prostate problem may cause other problems, such as
- problems having sex
- feeling stressed due to chronic pain
- inflammation in areas near your prostate
Which problem you may get depends on the type of prostate problem you have. Other problems may vary from man to man for each type of prostate problem.
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Treating Benign Prostate Enlargement
Treatment for an enlarged prostate is determined by the severity of your symptoms.
If you have mild to moderate symptoms, you wonât receive any immediate medical treatment, but youâll have regular check-ups to carefully monitor your prostate.
Youâll probably also be advised to make lifestyle changes, such as limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake, and exercising regularly, to see if they improve your symptoms.
As well as lifestyle changes, medication is usually recommended to treat moderate to severe symptoms of benign prostate enlargement. Finasteride and dutasteride are medications that are commonly used. They block the effects of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone on the prostate gland, which can reduce the size of the prostate and improve associated symptoms.
Alpha blockers may also be prescribed. They help to relax your bladder muscles, making it easier to pass urine. Tamsulosin and alfuzosin are two alpha blockers commonly used to treat benign prostate enlargement.
Surgery is usually only recommended for moderate to severe symptoms of benign prostate enlargement that have failed to respond to medication.
Prostate Exams To Screen For Cancer
There are two types of tests that healthcare providers use to screen for prostate cancer:
- A prostate-specific antigen test is a blood test that measures the amount of PSA in the blood. Sometimes, high levels of PSA are linked to prostate cancer.
- A digital rectal exam is a physical examination where a provider places their gloved finger into the rectum to feel the edges of the prostate gland.
It’s normal to feel nervous or even embarrassed about having a digital rectal exam . It will help to know what to expect during a prostate exam and understand why it’s so important to have one.
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How Common Is Prostate Cancer
In the United States, the risk of a person with a prostate being diagnosed with prostate cancer is 11%. A persons risk of dying from prostate cancer is 2.5%, and the average age that a person is when they die from it is 80.
Your risk for prostate cancer increases if you:
- Are over the age of 50 years old
- Are African American
What Are Some Common Prostate Problems
The most common prostate problem in men younger than age 50 is inflammation, called prostatitis. Prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia , is another common problem. Because the prostate continues to grow as a man ages, BPH is the most common prostate problem for men older than age 50. Older men are at risk for prostate cancer as well, but it is much less common than BPH.
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Another type of prostate issue is chronic prostatitis, or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. This condition causes pain in the lower back and groin area, and may cause urinary retention. Symptoms include leaking and discomfort. In severe cases, a catheter may be required to relieve the symptoms. If the problem is unresponsive to other treatments, your doctor may suggest a surgical procedure. If these do not work, your symptoms could progress and become chronic.
An acute bacterial infection can cause a burning sensation. Inflammation of the prostate can affect the bladder and result in discomfort and other symptoms. This is the most common urinary tract problem in men under 50, and the third most common in men over 65. The symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis are similar to those of CPPS. Patients may experience a fever or chills as a result of the infection.
What Have Randomized Trials Of Prostate Cancer Screening Found
Several large, randomized trials of prostate cancer screening have been carried out. One of the largest is the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, which NCI conducted to determine whether certain screening tests can help reduce the numbers of deaths from several common cancers. In the prostate portion of the trial, the PSA test and digital rectal exam were evaluated for their ability to decrease a mans chances of dying from prostate cancer.
The PLCO investigators found that men who underwent annual prostate cancer screening had a higher incidence of prostate cancer than men in the control group but had about the same rate of deaths from the disease . Overall, the results suggest that many men were treated for prostate cancers that would not have been detected in their lifetime without screening. Consequently, these men were exposed unnecessarily to the potential harms of treatment.
A second large trial, the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer , compared prostate cancer deaths in men randomly assigned to PSA-based screening or no screening. As in the PLCO, men in ERSPC who were screened for prostate cancer had a higher incidence of the disease than control men. In contrast to the PLCO, however, men who were screened had a lower rate of death from prostate cancer .
The United States Preventive Services Task Force has estimated that, for every 1,000 men ages 55 to 69 years who are screened for 13 years :
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What Is Prostate Cancer
This diagram shows the location of the prostate, in front of the rectum and just below the bladder.
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the prostate, it is called prostate cancer. Not including skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men.
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