What tests are needed to diagnose prostate cancer

Clinical examination can help doctors and patients understand the clinical staging of prostate cancer, which is of great significance for the selection of treatment methods, observation of efficacy, prognosis judgment and monitoring of recurrence. The following examination methods are mainly used in clinical practice:

Biopsy: Biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing prostate cancer. Biopsy can make a diagnosis when there is only a local nodule before local spread and distant metastasis occur.

Rectal examination: It is a very important basis for early diagnosis of prostate cancer. It can be manifested as the prostate capsule is not smooth, hard like stone, and adhered to the surrounding tissues. If it involves the seminal vesicle, it is highly suspicious. The lumps are of different sizes and should be differentiated from prostate stones.

X-ray examination: including chest X-ray, pelvic, lumbar spine radiography, etc., is an important screening method for early diagnosis of tumor metastasis. Sometimes seminal vesiculo-vasoconstriction can also be performed.

Ultrasound examination: B-ultrasound examination may show changes and displacement of the prostate morphology, discontinuous and rough capsule reflection, and the appearance of light spots and dark areas inside the gland.

CT and MRI examinations: CT examinations have clear images, high resolution, and are safe and painless, and can provide detailed information about the growth and metastasis of tumors.

Prostate-specific acid phosphatase assay: About 80% of prostate cancer patients with distant metastasis will have elevated acid phosphatase, and 20% of those without distant metastasis will have elevated acid phosphatase.

Serum prostate-specific antigen test: In clinical practice, this test is usually performed one week after rectal examination and urethral examination or catheterization to avoid false positives.