How is prostate cancer diagnosed and treated?

Prostate cancer is typically diagnosed with a combination of a physical examination, blood test (PSA and/or free PSA), and digital rectal exam (DRE). Following initial diagnosis, further tests may be required to determine the extent of the cancer. These can include imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan, MRI or bone scan; biopsy to confirm prostate cancer; and other tests to evaluate other organs for metastases.

The treatment for prostate cancer depends on individual risk factors and the stage of the disease. In some cases when prostate cancer has not spread beyond the initial site, watchful waiting or active surveillance may be used. Low-risk nonaggressive tumors may also require simple monitoring rather than an actual medical intervention such as surgery or radiation therapy. For aggressive localized tumors that are at high risk of spreading outside of the prostate gland, early surgical removal is recommended in most cases along with radiation therapy or hormonal therapy if necessary. Endocrine therapies like Lupron® are often used to inhibit tumor growth as well as hormone production in order to reduce symptoms caused by higher levels of testosterone in men with advanced stages of prostate cancer.