Prostate Cancer Tests
There are several tests that may be used to diagnose prostate cancer.
PSA is a protein produced by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. A high level of PSA can be a sign of cancer, but your PSA level can also be raised in prostate conditions that are not cancer (are benign), or if you have an infection. To check for PSA (prostate specific antigen), your doctor takes a sample of your blood. If you've had a urine infection, you shouldn't have a PSA test for at least a month after your treatment finishes. A reading higher than 10 ng/ml may also just be benign prostate disease, but the higher the level of PSA, the more likely it is to be cancer. Sometimes a cancer may be diagnosed in a man with a 'normal' PSA reading. There is more information about the PSA blood test in the section on screening for prostate cancer.
PSA blood tests are also used to monitor how well prostate cancer treatment works or to decide whether you need treatment. Successful treatment shrinks cancer and so the PSA level in the blood then falls.
Rectal examination
Doctors call this test a digital rectal examination (DRE).
Rectal ultrasound
Before the biopsy, you may have blood taken for a repeat PSA test. The doctor then puts the rectal ultrasound probe into your rectum to examine your prostate. Your prostate gland will bleed slightly. Urine test (PCA3)
The PCA3 test is a new type of test, which doctors hope will help them decide who may have prostate cancer and needs to have a biopsy. PCA3 stands for Prostate Cancer gene 3. Prostate cells have PCA3 genes. Prostate cancer cells make much more of this protein than normal cells. If the tests suggest problems
Doctors urge baseline test for prostate cancer
Rather than annual screening, urology group urges baseline test at age 40
An influential doctors group is backing off its call for annual tests after age 50 to screen for prostate cancer.
Screening involves a physical exam and a blood test for a substance called PSA.
The urology group's new advice says men should be offered a baseline PSA test at age 40, and follow-ups at intervals based on each man's situation. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in American men.
Annual tests don't prevent deaths, studies said
Two big studies last month concluded that annual PSA tests do little to prevent deaths from prostate cancer. If PSA was 1 or less at age 60, the risk of dying of prostate cancer by age 85 was very low — less than 1 percent — even if men had the disease for many years. "If your PSA is between 1 and 2, it's also a small risk."
New prostate cancer vaccine shows promise
Prostate drug shows promise in early testing
More proof prostate tests overdiagnose cancer
Dr. Robert Uzzo, a prostate surgeon at
No comments:
Post a Comment