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• About Prostate Cancer
• Anatomy of the Prostate Gland
• Chemotherapy For Prostate Cancer
• For Family Members Coping With Prostate Cancer
• Herbal Remedies: Prostate Cancer
• Prostate Cancer Angiogenesis Inhibitors
• Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials
• Prostate Cancer Diagnostic and Evaluation Procedures
• Prostate Cancer Expectant Therapy
• Prostate Cancer Grading
• Prostate Cancer in African-American Men
• Prostate Cancer Psychosocial Factors
• Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
• Prostate Cancer Staging
• Prostate Cancer Statistics
• Prostate Cancer Surgery
• Prostate Cancer Symptoms
• Prostate Health Glossary
• Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Procedures used to evaluate prostate problems:

In addition to an annual physical examination that includes blood, urine, and possibly other laboratory tests, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society suggest consulting your physician about these recommendations for the evaluation of the prostate gland:

• DRE (digital rectal examinations)
  As recommended by your physician, DREs are usually conducted annually for men over the age of 50. Men in high-risk groups, such as African-Americans, or those with a strong family history of prostate cancer should consult their physicians about being tested at a younger age.
• PSA (prostate-specific antigen)
  PSA is a blood test that measures the level of prostate specific antigen. PSA is a substance produced by the prostate gland, which may be found in higher amounts in men who have prostate cancer. As recommended by your physician, the PSA test is usually done annually for men over the age of 50. Men in high-risk groups, such as African-Americans, or those with a strong family history of prostate cancer, should consult their physicians about being tested at a younger age or more often.

What are some other prostate cancer evaluation procedures?

If the DRE or PSA are unusual, your physician may repeat the tests or request an ultrasound and other procedures. These evaluation tools may include:

• transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) - a test using sound wave echoes to create an image of the prostate gland to visually inspect for abnormal conditions such as gland enlargement, nodules, penetration of tumor through capsule of the gland, and/or invasion of seminal vesicles; may also be used for guidance of needle biopsies of the prostate gland and/or guiding the nitrogen probes in cryosurgery.
• computed tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT scan.) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.
• radionuclide bone scan - a nuclear imaging method that helps to show whether the cancer has spread from the prostate gland to the bones. The procedure involves an injection of radioactive material that helps to locate diseased bone cells throughout the entire body, suggesting possible metastatic cancer.
• lymph node and/or prostate biopsy - a procedure in which tissue samples are removed (with a needle or during surgery) from the body for examination under a microscope; to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are present.

The diagnosis of cancer is confirmed only by a biopsy.

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Dr. Ketan Badani and colleagues' article on the "Evolution of Robotic Radical Prostatectomy, an Assessment After 2766 Procedures," was published in the November 1, 2007 issue of Cancer, a journal of the American Cancer Society.

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Risk Factors and Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer
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