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Prostate Cancer Assessment

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Prostate Cancer Assessment

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Prostate Cancer Assessment

Prostate-plum Tumor-guy with Assess-man
Picmonic
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, and typically occurs in men over the age of 65. It can initially present with symptoms similar to those seen in BPH, like dysuria, dribbling, urgency, hesitancy, and hematuria. Prostate cancer can metastasize, and often does so to bone, and a common site is the lumbosacral vertebrae. Patients can display fatigue and lower back pain. There are diagnostic tests if there is a clinical suspicion of malignancy, such as PSA, PAP, and digital rectal exam. The only definitive diagnostic test is via ultrasound-guided needle biopsy.
9 KEY FACTS
Most Common Cancer in Men
#1 Foam-finger Tumor-guy with Men

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, excluding skin cancer, and second leading cause of cancer-associated death. One in every six men develops prostate cancer, and typically happens in men over the age of 65.

ASSESSMENT
Mimics BPH
Mime at Bunny Plum Hiker-plate

Prostate cancer is typically asymptomatic in the early stages, but can present with symptoms similar to those in benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. This is a condition in which an overgrowth of prostate tissue pushes against the urethra and the bladder, blocking the flow of urine. This includes dysuria, urinary hesitancy, dribbling, hematuria, nocturia, and urgency.

Metastasis to Back
Metastasis-mit to Back

Preferentially, prostate cancer metastasizes to the bones. Often, it spreads to nearby vertebrae, leading to compression of the spinal cord and destruction of the bone.

Low Back Pain
Low Back Pain-bolts

Low back pain is a common complaint in patients with lumbosacral vertebral metastases from prostate cancer. Typically, the pain is described as radiating down to the hips or the legs.

Fatigue
Sleepy-guy

Patients with malignancy often complain of fatigue, and this is the case with prostate cancer. The complaint of chronic, debilitating fatigue may be a sign that the prostate cancer is advanced.

CONSIDERATIONS
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
Prostate-plum Ant-gem

Prostate specific antigen, or PSA, is a lab test that can help confirm the diagnosis of prostate cancer. It should be noted that this test is very nonspecific and can falsely be elevated for a variety of reasons. Another test that can be used is the PAP or prostatic acid phosphatase.

Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)
Digital Rectum-rectangle Exam

A digital rectal examination, or DRE, can be done on physical exam if there is a suspicion of prostate cancer, and men who fit the criteria for screening can have a yearly exam. An abnormal prostate may feel hard, nodular, and asymmetric.

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS)
Rectum-rectangle Ultrasound

If there is a high suspicion of prostate cancer, a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) can be used to visualize the prostate for abnormalities. A TRUS is also used to help guide the physician when obtaining a needle biopsy.

Biopsy
Biopsy-needle

If necessary, a biopsy of the prostate is taken with a needle. A definitive diagnosis can be made only after examining the pathologic specimen for malignant changes.

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