The best and most effective form of prostate cancer treatment begins with diagnosis. When doctors diagnose prostate cancer, they evaluate the range and extent of the disease and determine the appropriate treatment methods. The Prostate Cancer Institute of LA use new and state-of-the-art screening methods to properly diagnose and treat a patient’s cancer.
If you would like to be screened for prostate carcinoma, please contact the Prostate Cancer Institute of LA today. Not only can a cancer screening identify any signs of the disease, it can provide patients with ease-of-mind, as well.
Best Prostate Carcinoma Screening Methods
The Prostate Cancer Institute of LA offer patients a variety of cancer screening options. Depending on few factors (such as age, health, and more), our urology specialists may perform one of the following procedures to check for the disease.
Digital Rectal Exam
A digital rectal exam (DRE) is one of the most common ways of checking for prostate cancer. During a DRE, a doctor will gently insert a gloved finger into a patient’s rectum and check for tumors on the prostate. When performing a DRE, a doctor will typically look for any sign of abnormality or irregularity on the prostate’s surface. These signs can include bumps on the prostate or a gland with a hard consistency.
Because the prostate is located in front of the rectum, doctors are easily able to examine the back wall of the gland during a DRE. However, the front and center portions of the prostate (the transition and central zones, respectively) cannot be easily examined during a digital rectal exam. If a doctor doesn’t feel any irregularities after performing a DRE, he or she may choose to perform one of the following screening methods, which are sometimes more effective in diagnosing prostate cancer.
PSA3 Test
A PSA3 test is one of the newer screening methods provided by the Prostate Cancer Institute of LA. A PSA3 test checks for antigen 3, a substance which tends to be overexpressed in patients with prostate cancer. Unlike a normal PSA test, which requires a blood sample to be taken, a PSA3 requires only a urine sample, making it easier to perform that other types of screenings.
Targeted Biopsies
The Prostate Cancer Institute of LA offer patients targeted biopsies: state-of-the-art procedures for detecting prostate cancer. Two specific forms of targeted biopsies we provide are MRI fusion-targeted biopsies and ultrasound high-yield saturation biopsies.
During an MRI fusion-targeted biopsy, a 3D image of the prostate is created. An ultrasound image of the prostate is then superimposed onto this 3D image, giving doctors unprecedented access to a patient’s prostate. When performing an MRI fusion-targeted biopsy, urologists are able to easily differentiate between cancerous cells and healthy prostate cells. Once the cancer is identified, a small needle takes tissue samples from the prostate, which are later analyzed to determine the severity of the cancer.
And ultrasound high-yield saturation biopsy involves the removal of 20-30 tissue samples from the prostate. By taking such a high number of samples, urologists are more easily able to identify any cancer which lurks within the gland, ensuring that patients receive the best and most appropriate treatment possible.
Prostate Imaging
Also known as perfusion dynamic MRI of the prostate, prostate imaging involves the use of a special contrast agent which is inserted into the prostate. This agent is excreted differently by prostate cancer cells when compared to normal, healthy cells. Prostate imaging allows urologists to precisely identify patients at risk of prostate carcinoma and to help determine which patients need a prostate biopsy.
Perfusion dynamic MRI of the prostate preserves a patient’s normal urinary and bodily functions, ensuring that they receive the best cancer treatment options possible.
To learn more about prostate carcinoma imaging, please visit eMedicine.Medscape.com.
Contact our Urology Experts Today
Contact the Prostate Cancer Institute of LA today to learn more about cancer screenings and prevention. If you’re interested in being screened for the disease, please do not hesitate to contact us today! Early identification is the key to successful treatment.
Next, read Four Ways to Help Avoid Prostate Cancer.