Diagnosing prostate cancer involves establishing the presence of cancer, determining its aggressiveness (grading) and discovering if the cancer is confined to the prostate or if it has spread (staging).

Your doctor may use a combination of the following tests to gather this information.

Blood Tests: Blood tests such as the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test may be used to find the presence of prostate cancer.

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): Your doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate. This test allows us to assess the size, shape and consistency of the prostate. A tumor often is felt as a hard lump.

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS): Your doctor inserts a small probe into the rectum to take images of the prostate. These images may allow us to visualize a tumor.

Biopsy: Using TRUS, the physician will insert a thin needle through the rectum into the prostate to remove a small number of cells. These cells then are tested for the presence of cancer, and also can be used to grade (determine the aggressiveness) the cancer.

Prostate Cancer Staging

To determine if the cancer has moved to any other parts of the body, our team may use the following imaging tests: bone scan, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Once we have a specific diagnosis, including the grade and stage of the cancer, we then work closely with you to create an individualized treatment plan based on your:

• Diagnosis
• Lifestyle
• Medical history
• Treatment preferences

>>Next: Prostate Cancer Treatment Options