How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from the epithelial tissue of the prostate. Without treatment, the carcinoma sprouts into surrounding tissues, metastasizes to other organs and leads to death. Timely diagnosis of cancer makes it possible to avoid serious complications of this pathology, reduce the cost of treatment and significantly increase the chances of a favorable outcome of the disease.

Malignant neoplasm of prostate( prostate cancer)

Content

1 diagnostic search
- 1.1 Digital rectal examination
- 1.2 PSA Evaluation
- 1.3 ultrasound
- 1.4 biopsy prostate
- 1.5 Tomographic methods
- 1.6 Radioisotope studies

diagnostic search

CancerProstate is one of the most common malignant neoplasms in men. Diseases occur mainly at the age after 60 years, but it is possible and an earlier detection of carcinoma. The reason for calling a urologist is usually the emergence of certain complaints :

pain in the perineum;
increased frequency of urination;
false desires;
appearance of a discontinuous urine stream;
urinary retention;
lengthening the time of urination.

Urologists strongly recommend not to delay a visit to the doctor if one or more symptoms appear. All men over the age of 40 should also undergo regular check-ups at the urologist annually.

The following methods are used to detect prostate cancer:

Finger rectal examination. Main article: Finger rectal examination of the prostate

Palpation of the prostate is performed at the first visit to the doctor. According to the results of palpation, the doctor can get information about the condition of the body( size, shape, consistency), assess the tone of the anal sphincter and identify the tumor. Attention is drawn to the patient's feelings during the study( the appearance of soreness or discomfort).The technique is often combined with a massage of the prostate and taking her secret for laboratory diagnosis.

PSA evaluation

Main article: Prostate-specific antigen( PSA)

The determination of the concentration of PSA( prostatic specific antigen) is the gold standard in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. PSA is an enzyme that reduces the viscosity of sperm and creates conditions for the existence of spermatozoa. Normally, the antigen level in the blood does not exceed 4 ng / ml. An increase in the concentration of PSA with a high percentage of probability indicates a prostate cancer or other severe conditions.

The blood for the determination of PSA is taken from the vein. Analysis is given in the morning on an empty stomach. It is recommended to refrain from smoking and ejaculation on the eve of the procedure. If the patient underwent a biopsy of the prostate or TRUS, the interval between examinations should be at least 7 days.

US

Prostate prostate cancer with cancer suspected

Prostate TRUS - transrectal ultrasound of the prostate

Transrectal ultrasound of the prostate( TRUS) is carried out through the rectum. During ultrasound, the doctor evaluates the size of the organ, determines the presence of the tumor. With the help of Doppler ultrasound, an evaluation of blood flow in the prostate and revealed neoplasm is carried out. Malignant tumor has its own specific differences from healthy tissue, which allows the doctor to set a preliminary diagnosis and design additional methods of research.

Transabdominal ultrasound in the diagnosis of prostate cancer is practically not applied. The method can be used as a guide for assessing the general condition of the prostate gland, its structure and dimensions.

Finger rectal examination, evaluation of PSA and TRUS are the main methods of early diagnosis of malignant tumors of the prostate. The study allows the doctor to detect the tumor, but does not give an opinion about its nature. Identify the malignant neoplasm and assess the extent of the prevalence of the process by additional diagnostic methods.

Prostate biopsy

Main article: Prostate biopsy: why and how is it performed?

Biopsy is a technique for sampling prostate tissue for histological examination. The procedure is indicated with an increase in the level of PSA and the detection of signs of a tumor process in the TRUS or palpation of the prostate. A biopsy is carried out through the urethra, rectum or perineum. The study allows you to diagnose, as well as distinguish cancer from benign prostatic lesions.

Tomography methods

After detection of prostate cancer by biopsy, the doctor can prescribe CT, PET-CT or MRI.Each of these methods allows to determine the prevalence of the pathological process, to identify regional and distant metastases. In special cases, the examination helps determine the diagnosis and clarify the localization of the tumor. Tomographic methods are also used to control the pathological process after treatment.

Read on: MRI of the prostate

Radioisotope studies of the

Osteoscintigraphy is performed with suspicion of tumor metastasis in the bone tissue. A radioactive isotope is introduced into the patient's body and a picture is taken. Malignant tumor cells accumulate radioisotopes, which makes it possible to detect metastases in the bones.

Detection of prostate cancer in the early stages is possible only with the passage of regular preventive examinations in the urologist. The appearance of unpleasant symptoms is often associated with the development of neglected forms of the disease, which is not always amenable to therapy. Only timely diagnostics makes it possible to radically get rid of the problem, save the life of the patient and prolong his health for many years.

See also: Nutrition rules for prostate cancer

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