An accurate diagnosis is critical for planning the best treatment approach for prostate cancer. Here, pathologist Victor Reuter (left) discusses a patient’s case with surgeon Karim Touijer.
We understand that a diagnosis of prostate cancer can cause a lot of anxiety and uncertainty. Our experts will use the latest technology to give you the most accurate diagnosis possible. We want you to feel confident about your next step, whether it’s active surveillance for your disease or starting treatment.
Our advanced detection tests find signs of the disease and whether it has spread outside the prostate. We also can help you understand your risk for prostate cancer.
The two common screening tests for prostate cancer are the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam (DRE). Screening with one or both tests will not give you a definite diagnosis of prostate cancer. For that, we’ll do:
- A comprehensive examination
- A prostate biopsy
- An evaluation of risk factors, such as your family history of the disease
- Diagnostic imaging studies
New Diagnostic Tests
A biomarker is a biological molecule found in our bodies that can tell us if something is normal or not. Biomarkers have become part of the molecular tests we use to diagnose prostate cancer. New biomarkers let us precisely find prostate cancer, guide treatment decisions, monitor response to treatment, and track the cancer’s growth.
Our researchers and doctors are working to develop and evaluate the use of biomarkers. They are studying the use of advanced molecular testing and molecular imaging to find prostate cancer.
These are some of the new diagnostic tests available:
- The 4Kscore Test is a follow-up blood test given after an abnormal PSA test or DRE. It scores your risk for having aggressive prostate cancer. The information from this test can help you avoid an unnecessary prostate biopsy. A biopsy is when we remove tissue samples from the prostate using thin needles and examine them for signs of cancer.
- The Prostate Health Index (PHI) is a new combination of 3 blood tests. The PHI score gives information about the chances of finding cancer with a biopsy after an elevated PSA level.
- A urine test can find PCA3, a gene that is specific to prostate cancer. It’s found in more than 90% of prostate cancer tissue but is not in normal tissue. This test can help us decide if someone who had a negative prostate biopsy should have another prostate biopsy.
- ConfirmMDx is a test done on prostate biopsy samples that did not show cancer. It can help us decide whether to repeat a biopsy.
- Several genetic tests are used on prostate biopsy tissues, including Prolaris and Oncotype DX GPS. These tests can give you and your doctor more information by measuring how aggressive the cancer is.
