Which tests are helpful in detecting prostate cancer

Cancer is the disease with the highest mortality rate among people. Generally, men are panicked when they are diagnosed with cancer. If men have obvious discomfort symptoms such as prostate swelling and pain, or abnormal urination, they should be alert and go to a regular hospital for treatment if necessary. Prostate cancer is often caused by prostate diseases that are not treated in time. So what tests are helpful in detecting prostate cancer?

1. Digital rectal examination.

This is the simplest, most economical and practical method. In layman's terms, by touching the prostate with the doctor's index finger, many asymptomatic prostate cancer patients can be found, providing opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment. If prostate nodules are found, the possibility of prostate cancer is suspected, and further prostate puncture biopsy should be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

2. Serum prostate-specific antigen (pSA) test.

Under normal circumstances, the pSA level in the blood is not high (no higher than 4ng/ml). It increases when there is prostate cancer or other prostate diseases. It is currently the most sensitive tumor marker for screening prostate cancer. Before the examination, patients should avoid examinations or operations that stimulate the prostate and cause a high pSA level, such as prostate massage, cystoscopy, catheterization, transrectal ultrasound, prostate puncture biopsy, and transurethral prostatectomy. If the pSA level increases, it should be rechecked. If it is still elevated and it is ruled out that it is obviously caused by inflammation or other influencing factors, then the possibility of prostate cancer is suspected and a prostate puncture biopsy should be performed.

3. Transrectal ultrasound examination.

That is, the ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum like a digital rectal examination, without any damage and only slight discomfort. This test has an effect on increasing serum pSA, so it should be performed after blood is drawn. If the patient feels a nodule during a digital rectal examination, has an elevated serum pSA, or has a suspicious lesion found during an ultrasound examination, he or she should undergo a transrectal prostate biopsy. This is the means to finally diagnose prostate cancer.

Warm reminder: The above is a detailed introduction by experts on "Which examinations are helpful for detecting prostate cancer". The symptoms of prostate cancer are generally not very obvious in the early stages of the disease, and the cancer cells are relatively hidden and difficult to detect, so regular health examinations in daily life are very necessary.