Can digital rectal exam & imaging diagnose prostate cancer?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 60 -years -old and have been advised to undergo testing for prostate cancer. Can you explain how prostate cancer is diagnosed, and what tests I can expect? Will I need a biopsy, and what does that involve? How reliable are tests like the PSA blood test and the digital rectal exam (DRE)? What should I expect during each process step, and how can I prepare?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Prostate cancer is diagnosed through several steps:

PSA blood test: This test measures the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in your blood. High PSA levels can suggest cancer, but they can also be caused by other conditions like an enlarged prostate (BPH) or inflammation (prostatitis).
Digital rectal exam (DRE): During this exam, your doctor will assess your prostate for any unusual lumps or changes.
Imaging: If the PSA or DRE results raise concerns, an MRI might be done to check for any suspicious areas in the prostate.
Biopsy: If necessary, a biopsy is done to take a small sample of prostate tissue for testing. This is usually done using a needle, guided by ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

While PSA and DRE are helpful, they are not enough to confirm cancer so further tests may be needed. To prepare, follow your doctor's instructions (like avoiding certain activities before the PSA test). If you need a biopsy, it is a quick outpatient procedure, and you may feel mild discomfort.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.