Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Learn More About Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Chat with Us | Email Us
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer or are unsatisfied with the quality of care at your current place of treatment, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) is here for you. At CTCA, we treat the whole person, not just the cancer. Our multidisciplinary care team will empower you with information, listen to your concerns, and provide you with advanced options to fight prostate cancer.
We want your quality of life to be satisfying during and after your prostate cancer care at CTCA. This is why your care team will work with you to develop an individualized prostate cancer treatment plan tailored to your physical, nutritional, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Diagnostic Tests, Tools, & Procedures
To diagnose prostate cancer and plan your treatment, your CTCA doctor may use one or a combination of the following diagnostic tests, tools and procedures:
- Digital rectal exam (DRE): This is usually the first step in determining prostate health. During the exam, your doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum. Your doctor will check to see if the prostate is the proper shape, size, and texture. If your doctor feels something suspicious, he or she may order diagnostic tests.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: This blood test shows if there are high amounts of PSA substance in the blood stream. High amounts may indicate cancer or less serious conditions such as infection.
- Transrectal ultrasound: During this exam, a small probe is inserted into the rectum, which takes a picture of the prostate.
- Prostate biopsy: Similar to a transrectal ultrasound, during a prostate biopsy the doctor guides a small probe into the rectum. However, this time a small tissue sample is taken for further examination.
In some instances, your doctor may choose one or a combination of the following imaging tests to see how large the cancerous tumor is or to see if it has spread:
- Ultrasound – This technology uses sound waves to provide echoes of your internal organs, including the prostate gland. The echoes that tumors produce are different than those of healthy tissues.
- CT (computerized tomography) scan – This scan uses X-ray images to show your internal organs, including the prostate.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – An MRI uses radiofrequency waves to create detailed cross-sectional images of the prostate.
- PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) – This X-ray procedure uses a computer to generate detailed pictures of what is happening in your body for prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Next Topic: Prostate Cancer Staging Information
