Prostate Cancer

By :Dr.Ajith Joy

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men. Approximately 13% of all cancers are that of the prostate. One in seven men is likely to get Prostate Cancer in his life time. Prostate cancer is curable if detected early before it spreads to other organs and bones. If diagnosed early and treated promptly, five year survival rates are nearly 100%.

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test

PSA is a marker for prostate cancer and is done as a routine screening blood test for men aged >40 years. PSA value >4 ng/mI is considered high. High PSA values can he due to Prostate Cancer. Prostatomegaly or inflammation of the prostate called prostatitis. Follow up tests include Ultrasound scan, CT scan. MRI scan and prostate biopsy.

Prostate Biopsy

A number of tissue samples are collected from the prostate gland by introducing biopsy needles through the rectum. A hIstopathologist examines the samples for the presence of cancer tissues The procedure is not foolproof as small cancer formations could be missed.

Prostate PET-CT with 68 Ga-PSMA

68 Ga-PSMA PET-CT scan is a novel non invasive. painless and cost effective imaging tool for the diagnosis, staging, therapy planning and recurrence evaluation of Prostate Cancer.