Enlarged Prostate Diagnosis
To confirm you have an enlarged prostate (
BPH), your physician will do a digital rectal examination followed by urine/blood test, imaging techniques and
prostate biopsy.
Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)
- The digital rectal examination is very important in the diagnosis of enlarged prostate
. It allows your physician to detect anomalies and evaluate the volume of the prostate gland. The examination is
usually not painful, but it can be a little embarrassing and even unbearable for some men. During the procedure,
your doctor puts a latex glove and inserts a finger into your rectum to feel the prostate through the wall of the
intestine. If you have enlarged prostate
, the prostate is larger but remains flexible and its shape remains unchanged. If the doctor feels any sign of lumps or hardening, she/he will recommend other
tests to determine the cause of the disorder.
Urine Flow
Test - This is a painless test used to evaluate the speed of your urination. Usually, it lasts
approximately 10 minutes. During the test, you urinate into an uroflowmeter that records and charts how quickly
your urine is flowing. A reduced flow or difficulty of emptying may indicate enlarged
prostate.
Prostate-Specific
Antigen (PSA) Blood Test - The prostate specific antigen is a protein produced by the prostate; its
role is to liquefy the semen to facilitate the movement of sperm. The PSA is present in the blood of all men
with normal levels, 4 ng / ml (4 nano-grams per
milliliters). High rates (5-10 ng / ml) usually indicate an enlarged prostate (BPH), an infection of the
prostate or prostate cancer. Rarely, high levels of PSA can be due to irritation or recent
ejaculation.
Rectal
Ultrasound - in cases there is suspicion of cancer, your urologist can recommend a rectal ultrasound.
During the procedure, the specialist uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the prostate gland.
This test helps him/her to detect and stage rectal cancers.
Prostate
Biopsy - Sample of the prostate tissue can be taken for examination with a microscope. The biopsy is
often done to rule out rectal cancer, which has the same symptoms as BPH.
Enlarged Prostate Symptoms Enlarged Prostate Treatment
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