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Belmont Park Pavilion,
162 Barrabool Rd,
Belmont 3216 VIC Australia

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Getting A Diagnosis

As is the case with other organs in the body, cancer may develop in the prostate. In the early stages of growth, cancer in the prostate typically does not exhibit symptoms. When symptoms do appear - for example issues with urine flow - a tumour can be well established. However, there are also non-cancer reasons for changed urine flow, including prostate enlargement (BPH – benign prostatic hyperplasia), so these need to be investigated, so that the correct cause can be identified and appropriately treated.

Early detection and timely treatment are of the utmost importance.

Regular PSA testing

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) and the Geelong Prostate Support Group both recommend that men over age 50, or 40 with a family history of prostate cancer, should talk to their GP about adding an annual PSA blood test as part of their routine health check-up. (Read more on the PCFA website, and on  wiki.cancer.org.au).

  • The PSA test measures a marker in the blood (prostate specific antigen). When levels of the marker rise above an age-related norm and show serial increases, this identifies the need for further investigation to isolate the reason for the rise – which can be caused by several things other than cancer.
  • In such cases a urologist is likely to check you with a digital rectal examination (DRE) , an MRI scan and a biopsy to determine if prostate cancer is the cause.
  • Some men develop aggressive forms of prostate cancer at a younger age. If not being regularly tested, they miss the opportunity of early diagnosis and treatment, which will provide for a better treatment outcome.

Biopsy

If your GP’s PSA tests show you may be at risk of prostate cancer, you will be referred to a urologist for a biopsy. The specialist removes small samples of tissue from your prostate, using very thin, hollow needles guided by an ultrasound or MRI image. In recent times the prostate is usually accessed through the perineum, which is the area between the anus and the scrotum.

A biopsy is usually done as an out-patient procedure and the doctor may advise a course of antibiotics afterwards to reduce the chance of infection. The tissue is sent to a pathologist to microscopically identify whether the cells are benign or cancerous. If cancer is detected, the pathology report will provide important information on its stage and grade, which will guide future treatment.

MRI imaging

Recent developments in magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) have improved the detectability of  tumours, staging any cancer and greater personalising of management decisions.  This scan is now helping the urologist to target biopsies more accurately.