The National Cancer Institute estimates prostate cancer will kill 32,050 men in the United States in 2010. Prostate cancer can develop from the cells that surround the prostate gland, or from the glandular tissue itself. As the cancer progresses, men may develop abdominal pain, difficulty urinating, abnormal ejaculation and bone pain and injury. Doctors searching for prostate cancer often perform a number of medical tests and use diagnostic criteria to identify prostate cancer.
Abnormal Prostate Cells
One diagnostic criterion for prostate cancer is the presence of abnormal cells within the prostate gland. During the process of prostate cancer diagnosis, doctors perform a biopsy, and remove a small sample of tissue from the prostate gland. Doctors then examine the tissue under a microscope and look for defects in the cellular organization of the prostate. The National Cancer Institute indicates doctors use the Gleason Scale--a measure of cellular maturation--to grade any abnormal prostate cells. Cells with a lower Gleason score appear somewhat like normal prostate cells, and may occur in less aggressive tumors, while cells with a high Gleason score have an undefined appearance and often occur in aggressive tumors. By examining abnormal prostate cells, doctors can diagnose and stage prostate cancer and begin an appropriate treatment.
Enlarged Prostate Gland
Another diagnostic criterion for prostate cancer that occurs in many patients is an enlarged prostate gland. During cancer development, tumor growth on the prostate leads to an increase in the size of the prostate gland. This can lead to discomfort as the tumor growth places pressure on nerves around the prostate gland, causing abdominal or lower back pain. Doctors test for an enlarged prostate gland through a digital rectal exam, in which a doctor places his fingers into the rectum to feel the prostate gland. Patients with abnormal growths palpable in a digital rectal exam may undergo additional testing to diagnose prostate cancer.
Elevated PSA
Many patients with prostate cancer have elevated levels of PSA, or prostate specific antigen, in their blood. As a result, an elevated PSA level on a blood test can act as a diagnostic criterion for prostate cancer. Prostate specific antigen is a protein found on the surface of normal and cancerous prostate cells. Tissue damage to the prostate that occurs during cancer development leads to the leaking of PSA into the bloodstream, leading to high levels of PSA in the blood. As a result, doctors may use the test to help detect the presence of prostate cancer in some cases. The National Cancer Institute explains although it is an effective medical test, PSA testing should be accompanied by other medical tests, such as a digital rectal exam to diagnose prostate cancer.
