One in six men, will be affected by prostate cancer at some point in their life, while this probability increases proportionally with age. In most of the cases, prostate cancer is diagnosed at a random screening, that is in asymptomatic men.
Preventive screening
Despite the fact that prostate cancer is a slowly progressive neoplastic disease, its has become the second cause of death in men in modern times. According to international scientific societies, such as the American Cancer Society (ACS), the medical screening for prostate cancer should begin:
• at 50 years of age, if the survival expectancy is at least 10 years.
• at 40-45 years of age, in men with high risk of developing prostate cancer, that is men with a family history of the disease or with a first-degree relative, at least, who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer at an age of less than 65 years.
The prognosis for the outcome of prostate cancer depends on some indicators, such as the age at the time of diagnosis, the Gleason Score, the tumor load of the disease and if there is capsular penetration at the organ during prostatectomy. As in all oncological conditions, the early diagnosis and early treatment leads to the optimization of the anticipated results.
PSA, Prostate digital rectal examination and Prostate biopsy
• It has been scientifically found out that increased PSA levels can be related with the presence, but non-exclusively, of prostate cancer.
• In the context of medical screening, a PSA test should be performed at regular intervals, usually once a year.
• In men with PSA levels between 4-7ng/ml, it is recommended to repeat the test a few weeks later, and if the PSA levels continue to be over 4, a prostate biopsy is recommended.
• The effectiveness of a digital rectal examination depends on the experience of the medical examiner.
• The biopsy confirms the diagnosis.
• Men with a prostate pathology diagnosed by digital rectal examination and PSA levels > 7 ng/ml should immediately undergo prostate biopsy.
• Prostate biopsy should also be performed in the cases where prostate pathology was diagnosed by the digital rectal examination, even with normal PSA levels.
• A negative prostate cancer biopsy does not exclude the presence of prostate cancer, and for this reason repeated biopsies are necessary in some cases.
NOTICE The scientific team of “Asklipios Diagnosis” is pleased to announce the further enrichment of its modern and high reliability diagnostic services. Since March 2017, we have already begun, with safety and success, the implementation of the modern scientific method of diagnostic prostate biopsy, making it available to the society and the scientific community of Crete.
Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) | and Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Prostate
The above are two techniques that are used in prostate biopsy. We also inform you about the conduction of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate, an examination which is indicated in men with a high clinical suspicion, with or without increased PSA levels and a negative prostate biopsy. The multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate is used in the last years in prostate cancer staging. For any clarification and information we are always at your disposal.
Best regards
The scientific team of
Asklipios Diagnosis
Ms. Fygetaki Sotiria: Radiologist, Head of the Imaging Department,
Ms. Saridaki-Zora Zenia: Oncologist Pathologist, Head of the Oncology Department,
Ms. Mixaki Ioanna: Specialist Pathologist specialized in Diabetes Mellitus, Head of the Pathology Department