Prostate Health
Diagnosis and Evaluation Procedures
Procedures used to evaluate prostate problems:
In addition to an annual physical examination that includes blood, urine, and possibly other laboratory tests, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society suggest consulting your doctor about these recommendations for the evaluation of the prostate gland:
- DRE (digital rectal examination) - annually for men over the age of 50.
In a digital rectal examination, the doctor feels the prostate through the wall of the rectum. Hard or lumpy areas may indicate that cancer is present.
- PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing - annually for men over the age of 50. The PSA test measures a substance called prostate-specific antigen made by the prostate. It is normal to find small quantities of PSA in the blood. PSA levels differ according to age and tend to rise gradually in men over age 60. PSA may become elevated due to infection (prostatitis), enlargement of the prostate, or cancer. Consult your physician to determine what is considered an elevated PSA level for your age.
Men in high-risk groups, such as African-Americans, or those with a strong family history of prostate cancer, should talk with their physicians about being tested at a younger age.
Additional diagnostic tests for prostate cancer:
Based on results of the physical examination and laboratory tests, your doctor
may order additional diagnostic tests, including:
- transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) - this test uses sound wave echoes to create an image of an organ or gland so that physicians or technologists can visually inspect it for abnormal conditions, such as gland enlargement, nodules, penetration of tumor through capsule of the gland, and/or invasion of seminal vesicles. This procedure is also extremely useful for guidance of needle biopsies of the prostate gland and guiding the nitrogen probes in cryosurgery.
- other imaging techniques, such as computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or intravenous pyelogram.
- cystoscopy - a procedure in which a doctor looks into the urethra and bladder through a thin, lighted tube.
- biopsy - the removal of a small tissue sample for microscopic examination. In a traditional biopsy, a large hollow needle removes a core or plug of the tissue. In a fine needle aspiration, the tissue is aspirated, or sucked out, of the suspected area.
This page was last updated on: March 4, 2008.
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