Prostate cancer diagnosis

The diagnosis of prostate cancer is an important stage in determining prostate malignancy and drawing up a treatment plan. It starts with tests of blood and urine, and PSA. Next, a pelvic ultrasound is performed through the abdominal wall. But it can't visualize all parts of the gland. Therefore, studies are usually supplemented with a transrectal ultrasound scan (TRUS). It helps to obtain a detailed image and detect neoplasms. An MRI scan is additional imaging used to refine the results. A drug with a contrast agent is injected into the vein to visualize vessels and cells of the gland better. MRI detects tumors with a size of at least several mm, determines their location, and indicates a place for a biopsy. A physician can offer a prostate biopsy performed through the rectum as a final step. The procedure is commonly carried out under transrectal ultrasound guidance. Rectal gels or injections of an anesthetic can be used to eliminate the pain syndrome. Firing needles with cutting edges are used to take samples with a 1-10 mm diameter. Those tumor pieces are examined in the lab to conclude the cancer type.