This ultrasound uses a thin cylinder that sends out sound waves and detects them when they bounce off tissues. The ultrasound helps the doctor see the entire prostate and choose a biopsy site. Your doctor will remove tissue from all parts of the prostate. The procedure typically takes between ten and twenty minutes and is done while you are awake and numb.
Although some men with prostate cancer do not exhibit symptoms, they may have the following. Pain in the back or hips, blood in the urine, or loss of bladder and bowel control are common symptoms. In addition to pain in the body, these symptoms can occur in other medical conditions as well. Your doctor can diagnose and treat any symptoms that you experience, including if your prostate is growing too quickly. If you have any of these symptoms, visit a doctor for a thorough exam and tests.
During a ProstaScint scan, your healthcare provider can check for the spread of prostate cancer to nearby lymph nodes. The scanner detects this material as a bright spot in your picture. If cancer has spread outside the prostate, it is more difficult to treat. Instead, drug therapies will be needed to treat the cancer throughout the body. If your doctor detects tumors on nearby lymph nodes, you may be treated for only a few days before your disease spreads to distant sites.
Radiation is another option for men with prostate cancer. Usually used as a follow-up procedure to surgery, radiation can help eliminate pain caused by bone spread. In some cases, it can cause impotence or bladder leakage. In some cases, radiation to the pelvis is necessary if PSA levels are higher after surgery. You should consult your doctor before undergoing radiation. It is important to note that radiation can cause many side effects, and your doctor should carefully explain these side effects.
Some men choose not to have prostate cancer treatment and instead opt for active surveillance. This method allows them to monitor their condition without experiencing the side effects of chemotherapy. Active surveillance is appropriate for older men with small tumors or PSA levels that slowly rise. It can also be used in patients with a shorter life expectancy. Regardless of the type of treatment you choose, you should have your PSA tested every six months, repeat biopsy, and DRE every 12 months.
After receiving the biopsy, a pathologist will grade the tissue to determine its stage. The pathologist will use a grading system to determine the type of cancer cells and the likelihood that they will spread. This grading system is based on tissue samples that are a part of the prostate. The Gleason score is a numerical value that describes how different the cancer cells appear under a microscope. Higher grades indicate that the cancer has spread.
