If your doctor suspects you’re at risk for prostate cancer, they might recommend a biopsy to confirm it. However, biopsies can be invasive and painful so it’s understandable when some people are hesitant to have them. That’s why it’s good to know that there are tests that can determine whether or not you really need to have a biopsy to determine if you have prostate cancer.
A transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) is a procedure that produces images of the prostate and surrounding area. It’s not painful but can be uncomfortable since it entails placing a small probe in the rectum.
In approximately 10 minutes, the sound waves that are used will generate the image on a computer screen. While the TRUS won’t confirm if you have prostate cancer, it can identify abnormal areas.
If your doctor has any concerns about the results, they’ll either suggest one of the other tests on this list or move straight to a biopsy.
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MRI scans are another kind of imaging procedure but they can provide a more detailed picture than a TRUS. You would also see a larger section of the body if your doctor is concerned about the surrounding areas.
There are three types of scans that can be used.
Diffusion-weighted imaging deals with how the prostate absorbs water, contrast imaging allows the doctor to observe the blood flow in your prostate, and spectroscopic imaging is designed to distinguish the signs of prostate cancer from an infection.
In some cases, the doctor may recommend that you undergo all three for a complete analysis.
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Generally, cancer cells produce certain enzymes that can be detected in the blood or urine. There are tests available that can identify these enzymes and determine if you’re at risk for developing prostate cancer.
They can also tell if the cancer cells are growing quickly or aggressively. However, enzyme tests might miss tumors that are growing slowly.
On the other hand, gene marker tests identify three specific things: serum PSA, PCA3, and TMPRSS2:ERG (T2:ERG). The presence of these markers in your urine is a strong indicator of prostate cancer.
PCA3 and TMPRSS2:ERG (T2:ERG), in particular, are rarely found in those who don’t have the disease. High levels of these gene markers usually mean that you’re at significant risk of prostate cancer so your doctor is likely to recommend a biopsy.
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It’s not uncommon for doctors to request all three of the tests listed above to get a clear picture of what’s going on with your prostate. While waiting for the results, your doctor will likely keep an eye on any changes in your symptoms as well. That means you should let them know if you’ve developed issues with urinating or if you’re seeing blood in your urine and semen. Those signs could indicate that your prostate is in trouble. If the test results point to the same conclusion then you need a biopsy. When you’re discussing the procedure, make sure to ask the doctor what you need to do to prepare and if there’s anything that can be done to ensure a quick recovery.
Recent statistics show that only a fraction of the people who get prostate biopsies every year are diagnosed with cancer. This information suggests that it’s a good idea to find out whether or not you really need one. When discussing the options with your doctor, make sure to ask if any of the tests will need to be repeated as part of your continued care.
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