Prostate Cancer Tests

For prostate cancer tests  your doctor may use either of the two common tests for prostate cancer detection. One test is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. This measures the PSA enzyme in your blood for abnormalities. Another test commonly used when prostate cancer symptoms are present is the digital rectal exam.  

A PSA test may be high, although non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate can also increase PSA levels.

There are several potential downsides to PSA testing; for example a high PSA does not always mean a patient has prostate cancer.

One downside to PSA testing is that health care providers are detecting and treating some very early-stage prostate cancers that may never have caused the patient any harm.

The decision about whether to pursue a PSA  test should be based on a discussion between the patient and health care provider. 

What is called a Free PSA may help tell the difference between BPH and prostate cancer.

A urinalysis may show blood in the urine.

Urine or prostatic fluid cytology may reveal unusual cells.

A prostate biopsy usually confirms the diagnosis.

CT scans may be done to see if the cancer has spread.

A bone scan can indicate whether the cancer has spread or not

A chest x-ray may be done to see if there's a spread of cancer.

A newer test called AMACR is more sensitive than the PSA test for determining the presence of prostate cancer. This is just a simple explanantion of the prostate cancer tests available.