The prostate is a gland near the rectum. It is a part of the male reproductive system. The prostate releases fluid that makes up a component of semen, and prevents the flow of urine during ejaculation. Prostate cancer develops when cells in the prostate divide uncontrollably, forming a tumor and damaging healthy neighboring tissue. The Nation Cancer Institute reports that prostate cancer caused more than 27,000 deaths in the United States in 2009. A number of tests are used to diagnose prostate cancer. They can offer early detection and treatment of cancer.
Digital Rectal Exam
A digital rectal exam is the most basic way to check for the presence of prostate cancer. This is a physical examination of the rectum by a doctor, who inserts his finger into the anus of the patient and feels the region around the prostate. A digital rectal exam allows the doctor to feel any swelling or enlargement of the prostate, which may indicate cancer.
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that a digital rectal exam should be done as part of a yearly checkup in men. A digital rectal exam can also be used to collect a stool sample to test for other forms of cancer, such as colon or rectal cancers.
Prostate Antigen Test
Prostate specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein that is found on the surface of a prostate gland, whether it is normal or cancerous. Normal prostate cells do not secrete much PSA, so there is not usually a high concentration of PSA in the blood. In cancer, normal cells around the tumor are damaged and PSA is released into the bloodstream. The prostate antigen test measures the amount of PSA in the blood, and can indicate a possible case of prostate cancer.
According to Virginia Commonwealth University, a positive PSA test does not necessarily mean a patient has cancer-approximately three out of 10 patients with a high PSA level actually have prostate cancer. However, regular PSA tests can allow for early detection of prostate cancer, to treat a potentuially invasive cancer before it has a chance to spread.
Biopsy
If a digital rectal exam or prostate antigen test comes back positive, a doctor may wish to perform a biopsy of the prostate to diagnose prostate cancer. A biopsy involves removing a small piece of tissue, which can then be examined and tested for the presence of cancer. A biopsy allows a doctor to identify cancer, and get an idea of the severity of the cancer depending on the appearance of the cancer cells.
New York University states that the most common type of prostate biopsy is a transrectal biopsy. This procedure involves inserting an ultrasound device into the patient's rectum, and using a series of ultrasound images to guide a needle to remove a small piece of the prostate. The procedure takes roughly 30 minutes.
