Prostate Cancer
It is noteworthy that a study that lasts about 30 seconds, is painless and done in the office. Many men refuse to sexism with which they conduct the review but there is the question: is it worth risking to miss a diagnosis so important, that is at hand, or rather, the scope of the finger?
If the digital rectal examination after still suspected prostate cancer, probably will ask for a blood test called PSA study. This is because the earlier cancer is detected, the better the chances of successful treatment. It is worth mentioning that there is a natural increase in PSA levels in blood with increasing age. It is also important to know that PSA levels can increase for other problems that are not prostate cancer.
When the results of one or both tests are abnormal (DRE and PSA), your doctor likely will request a transrectal ultrasound biopsy sampling. The transrectal ultrasound provides better images because the rectum is achieved close to the prostate that can not be achieved otherwise. The biopsy is done with a fine needle, hollow, through the rectum that takes samples from selected areas of the prostate. It does not require anesthesia and the study usually lasts about 10 minutes, using a tube the width of a finger.
A pathologist report the findings of their study in a Gleason score. Your doctor also will want to know the extent or staging of the tumor, ie how much the cancer has grown and whether it has spread to other parts of the body as this allows you to select the most appropriate treatment and establishing prognosis (how it will develop the disease and chance of recovery).