Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Prostate cancer is a malignant growth in the prostate gland. The prostate is a walnut-sized organ that's part of the male reproductive system. It produces some of the fluid in semen.

Prostate cancer has few symptoms, especially in the early stages. Doctors find most prostate cancer through screening and diagnostic exams. That's why it's especially important for men to discuss prostate health with their doctor.

Screening for Prostate Cancer

Men over the age of 50 or those with a family history of prostate cancer should talk to their doctor about screening for prostate cancer.

A doctor will perform a patient assessment, which may include:

Diagnosing Prostate Cancer

While screenings may indicate a problem with the prostate, further testing to detect cancer also may include:

Prostate biopsy.
Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS).

Other tests may include:

Blood tests.
MRI.
CT scan.

Diagnosed with prostate cancer?

If you're diagnosed with prostate cancer, your doctor will probably refer to the stage of your cancer. The stage describes how serious the cancer is, how fast it's growing, and if it's spread to other parts of the body.

Stage I: PSA levels are low. The cancer cells are only in the prostate and are slow-growing.
Stage II: PSA levels are medium or low. The cancer is small but has increased risk of spreading.
Stage III: PSA levels are high. The cancer is growing and likely to spread outside the prostate.
Stage IV: The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

Contact Us About Prostate Cancer Care

To learn more about prostate cancer care or to make an appointment, you can:

Call 412-647-2811
Contact a UPMC Hillman Cancer Center near you.

Facts You Need to Know About Prostate Cancer

For men in the United States, the guidelines for prostate cancer screenings have recently changed. Who sets these guidelines, and why are they different?

Learn more from UPMC HealthBeat.