Schedule a Consultation
Your health is important, and we welcome the opportunity to help you heal.
To schedule an appointment, please Click the link below to access our Online Appointment Request
Book An AppointmentTesting and diagnosis
In the testing process for prostate cancer, a doctor may perform the following examinations:
Digital rectal exam, or DRE. This is a fairly mild exam in which the prostate cancer doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate. This is done to detect any flaw in the size, shape or texture of the prostate. A prostate-specific antigen test is done by drawing a blood sample from the arm. It is then analyzed for PSA which is a substance produced by the prostate. If an above-average amount of PSA is found in the blood, it may be an indication of a defect in the prostate. While these exams can detect an abnormality in the prostate, they do not conclusively determine if prostate cancer is present.
Further tests in the full diagnosis of prostate cancer include:
- An ultrasound, in which a probe is inserted into the rectum to capture an image of the prostate.
- A prostate biopsy can be effective in the examination for prostate cancer. A sample of prostate tissue is collected and examined in a laboratory.
Because prostate cancer can be fairly idle, more tests can be done to determine the aggressiveness of the disease. This can be done with the biopsy already obtained. The cancer cells are compared with healthy prostate cells to reach a conclusion regarding how quickly the disease is spreading.