Signs of Prostate Cancer
After taking the history of the patient and knowing the symptoms which patient experiences, the physician looks for the signs of prostate cancer.
[According to medical terminology, a difference between signs and symptoms should be known to a common man. A symptom is something abnormal, that is relevant to disease. Signs is something abnormal, that is relevant to disease, discovered by physician during the examination , as referred to WIKIPEDIA, free encyclopedia].
As the prostate can not be palpated externally, digital rectal examination is the only method to reveal the condition of the prostate. Rectal examination is done by putting a sterilised gloved finger from the anal opening into the rectum. As rectum lies just behind the prostate,the doctor is able to feel all the parts of the rectum by moving the finger in the circular motion.
In prostate cancer, the doctor finds the prostate hard,irregular,and enlarged.
The other signs that the physician discovers are:
Signs of Prostate Cancer
-Lower backache which is noticed by the physician on the movements of the patient.
-Bone tenderness
-Anemia
-Unintentional weight loss
Signs of Prostrate Cancer as Tests or Diagnostic Signs
Urine Examination - White blood cells are present in the urine sample of the patient
Semen Analysis - Sometime blood in the semen can be seen
PSA Test - Also known as the Prostate Specific Antigen test. A blood sample is taken from a vein and analyzed. PSA is a substance produced by the prostrate gland to help liquefy the semen. Small levels of PSA are normal in the bloodstream. If higher levels are found, it may be an indication of prostrate cancer.
Biopsy - Samples of the prostrate tissues from eight different areas are taken with the help of a needle and from these samples, pathologists estimate the aggressiveness of the cancer.
Bone Scan and Chest X-Ray - This is done to find out the metastasis
New Methods of Treatment A new test called AMACR is more accurate for revealing prostrate cancer and will soon be more widely used as a diagnostic tool to find the signs of prostrate cancer.