Prostate Diagnostic Tests

Although there are several diagnostic tests that men can undergo to determine if they have prostate disorders, the two main ones are Digital Rectal Exam (DRE), and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). Other diagnostic tests that your doctor may order are the bladder ultrasound, a computed axial tomography (CAT), cystoscopy, hyperplasia intravenouspyelogram (IVP), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), pelvic lymph node dissection, prostate ultrasound, radionuclide bone scan, a urine test, and a uroflow.

The digital rectal examination (DRE) is done in the doctor's office. The doctor uses a gloved and lubricated finger to explore the rectum and examine the prostate's size and texture.

The PSA test is a blood test that monitors blood levels for the prostate specific antigen (PSA). In a healthy male the prostate does not spill any PSA cells into the blood. If PSA cells are noted of a level of 4 nanograms per milliliter, or less it is considered to be normal. If a male has results that are between a 4 and 10 they are considered to be borderline and a PSA level of over 10 is considered to be abnormal and may be indicative of prostate cancer. If a man has a PSA level over 50 it may indicate that the prostate cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. The Tandem R test also measures the total PSA and also reads another component called free PSA. PSA tests have a known relatively high false-positive rate and can also identify medically insignificant tumors. Men with BPH have been known to have levels of 25 to 30.

A bladder ultrasound is usually done in the doctor's office and is used to see how much urine is left in the bladder after urination.

A computed axial tomography (CAT) is used to identify cancer in remote areas of the body.

A cystoscopy allows the doctor to visually examine the bladder and prostate.

Hyperplasia intravenouspyelogram (IVP) is an X-ray that uses dye injected into one of the major veins to see how the dye goes through the kidneys, bladder and ureter tubes. This test is commonly used when a male has an enlarged prostate.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used if the prostate cancer is localized to examine the prostate.

Pelvic lymph node dissection is a test used to determine if the cancer has spread and is done through a small hole in the abdomen.

Prostate ultrasound is used to determine the size of the prostate.

Radionuclide bone scan is used to determine staging (how far the cancer has spread).

A urine test is routine and can screen for blood and for the presence of infection, liver and kidney disease, and also for diabetes.

The uroflow measures how strong the flow of urine is during urination.

Although prostate cancer can occur in any male at any age, certain men are at more risk for prostate cancer than others. African-American males appear to be at twice the risk of prostate cancer than Caucasian males. Many African-American males are diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 50, so it is advised that they start being tested on a yearly basis at age 40. Males with a family history (dad or brother) of prostate cancer are at high risk for developing prostate cancer themselves. They should also be tested starting at age 40 because many males with family history have been diagnosed before age 50.

It is a fact that the earlier you are screened for prostate cancer and are diagnosed, the higher your chances for survival.

Prevention is the best course of action because there is not a single man who is not at risk to developing one or more of these conditions in their lifetime. A commonly made mistake is to think "I won't happen to me at my age". An increasing number of young men are developing at least one of these three conditions of the prostate.

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