Digital rectal exam

Digital rectal exam (DRE) consists of an exam of the rectum. This is done by inserting a finger into the patient’s rectum in order to feel and examine the prostate gland. The prostate is felt through the rectal wall, and the purpose of the test is to detect lumps or other abnormalities. The test is done by a physician or nurse and they wear gloves and lubrication in order to decrease the level of discomfort. This test lasts less than a couple of minutes.

Prostate-specific Antigen Test

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a substance produced by the prostate gland. The PSA level might be increased in a patient’s blood if he has prostate cancer, but also if he has a prostate inflammation, infection or benign prostatic hypertrophy (i.e., enlarged non-cancerous prostate). A PSA test can determine the PSA level in blood, and is done by taking a blood sample for testing.

Biopsies

A biopsy is a collection of cells for microscopic analysis. This analysis determines the Gleason score, which ranges between 2 and 10, depending on the likelihood of a tumor to spread. Transrectal and transperineal biopsies are the most common biopsies performed to test for prostate cancer. In a transrectal biopsy, prostate gland cells are collected inserting a needle through the rectum. In a transperineal biopsy, prostate gland cells are collected by inserting a needle between the scrotum and rectum.

Transrectal ultrasound

Transrectal ultrasound provides images of the prostate gland. This procedure is carried out by inserting a probe into the rectum and pressing it towards the prostate in order to obtain ultrasound images.

Your doctor will determine which test is more appropriate for you, so please contact your doctor for more information regarding the tests described above and which one is best for you.