Prostate Cancer - A Profile of Patients

Prostate cancer usually points at a general profile of its victim. Men nearing the age of 50 should be proactive in fighting this disease. As early as 40 years old, black men and men with ancestral traces of prostate cancer should start having annual medical check-ups.

However, younger men who have had previous prostate gland disorders that were treated through TURP are not exempted from having prostate cancer. TURP or transurethral resection of the prostate gland is usually done for benign cases of prostate disorders. The procedure is not a guarantee to eliminate the incidence of prostate cancer but it can help determine if the tissue removed from the prostate gland may show traces of prostate cancer cells.

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Prostate cancer can be diagnosed through supplementary findings by way of histological analysis brought about by a previous TURP or clinically suspected prostate cancer followed by a series of medical tests to provide evidences.

Incidental findings made through histological analysis of the removed tissue from the prostate gland can help in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. On the other hand, clinical suspicion of prostate cancer has neither known cause nor symptom to prove its existence and may be associated with other prostate gland disorders such as prostatic enlargement or metastatic disease. A series of medical tests should be made to prove otherwise.

Through digital rectal assessment, the prostate gland may appear to be hard and lumpy. Other lumps or hard mass can be found with its immediate organs while the lymph glands may be apparent somewhere in the pelvic or groin areas. Furthermore, the bony metastases of the pelvis or lumbar spine are frequently sore.

PSA blood test is also done to check possible occurrence of prostate cancer. PSA, also known as Prostate Specific Antigen, is a matter emitted by prostate cells. A 0-4 ng/ml PSA level is considered to be standard. PSA level ranging from 4-10 ng/ml may have benign prostate diseases like benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis or 25% probability of prostate cancer development. A PSA level over than 10 ng/ml can be very alarming because the patient has a 50-50 chance of having prostate cancer.

Other medical tests that substantiate the existence of prostate cancer may include either one of each of needle biopsy, histological analysis of biopsy sample, ultrasound guided needle biopsy or transrectal ultrasound scan. Most medical test procedures are usually carried out with local anesthetic.