What Is Required for a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis?

A biopsy of suspected cancerous tissue is required for a prostate cancer diagnosis, but there are a number of additional tests that are used to rule out other conditions. Urine testing, for example, can rule out infection, while a rectal examination allows a doctor to manually assess the prostate for abnormalities. If a prostate cancer diagnosis is suspected, a biopsy is usually required. A small piece of prostate tissue is removed via the rectum and examined under a microscope for signs of cancer. If cancer is discovered, it is rated on the Gleason scale, with a higher rating signifying a more aggressive form of cancer.

For a prostate cancer diagnosis, a doctor often performs multiple tests. The purpose of these tests is to eliminate other potential causes of symptoms, such as infection, and to gather information about the prostate. A biopsy, in which a small piece of tissue is removed and examined, is generally the only test that can confirm the condition, however.

A doctor may want to dismiss the possibility of an infection because this can cause similar symptoms to prostate cancer. To do so, a urine test is often required. A digital rectal examination is also common, as this allows a doctor to check for abnormalities in the prostate. Other tests include a cystoscopy, which involves inserting a camera into the bladder, and a transrectal ultrasonography. The latter utilizes sound waves to create an image of the prostate.

An important requirement in prostate cancer diagnosis is a biopsy. Other tests can help doctors to learn more about the patient's prostate and eliminate other possibilities, but examination of the prostate tissue itself is the only reliable form of diagnosis. If a doctor suspects that a man may be suffering from prostate cancer, a biopsy is often ordered quickly because early diagnosis increases the chance of successful treatment.

To perform a prostate cancer biopsy, a small piece of tissue is removed. The doctor accesses the prostate via the rectum with specially designed instruments. Although a biopsy of the prostate tissue can be uncomfortable, it is nearly always performed as an outpatient procedure. This means that the patient rarely has to stay overnight in the hospital.

Once the tissue has been removed, it can be examined under a microscope for a possible prostate cancer diagnosis. If cancer is discovered, it is rated using a scale known as the “Gleason score.” The higher the score, the more aggressive and dangerous the cancer.