Prostate diagnostics: laboratory and hardware examination

Prostatitis is a common disease among men. The difficulty in diagnosing the condition lies in the large number of symptoms. Only a thorough examination of the prostate will help to make an early diagnosis and start treatment on time. Palpation of the prostate is mandatory for men from the age of forty, but neglect of a healthy lifestyle leads to a rejuvenation of the disease. The recommended frequency of preventive examination is twice a year upon reaching the age of twenty. The examination allows you to identify the inflammatory process and timely prescribe treatment.

Indications

Examination of the prostate gland is indicated in connection with:

• violation of urination;
• purulent and bloody discharge;
• change in the smell and color of urine;
• the presence of blood in the semen;
• painful emptying of the rectum;
• discomfort in the urethra, perineum, severe pain in the testicles;
• sexual dysfunctions (decreased potency, premature ejaculation).

If you have symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately. In such cases, there is a possibility of prostatitis, malignant tumors, adenoma or abscess.

Rectal examination

Signs of prostate disease are found already with digital rectal examination - the first of a set of diagnostic methods. The position of the prostate makes palpation through the rectum the only non-instrumental way to check organ characteristics. This method does not require special training and is very informative. The screening technique is simple and allows us to talk about the need for further examination.

Before the procedure, you must refrain from intercourse, cleanse the rectum with an enema. The patient is standing, bending over at a right angle, resting his elbows on the table or lying on his side, bending his knees. A doctor wearing sterile gloves lubricates the anus, examines it and inserts a finger. The organ is located five centimeters from the anus. The process consists in probing the gland with massage movements towards the center. If there are no pathologies of the prostate, palpation is painless.

The shape of a healthy prostate gland is round, the two lobes are separated by a groove. The outlines are clearly visible, the gland is smooth and stretched. To determine the size of the prostate, palpation is performed with two hands, the patient lies on his back. When the size does not correspond to the norm, the consistency is thickened or very soft, the lobes differ in size or the process causes pain, we can talk about various types of pathologies of the prostate gland.

You can also feel the prostate at home. Do this with sterile gloves to avoid infection. If necessary, the urologist squeezes out the secret from the glands for diagnosis. The liquid is studied under a microscope, revealing the features of the inflammatory process by laboratory analysis.

Analyzes

To clarify the diagnosis, they carry out a clinical analysis of blood, urine, bacteriological analysis of urine, and a study of the secretion of the urethral glands. If necessary, PCR analysis, MRI, CT, ultrasound examination of the bladder, laboratory semen analysis, blood test for prostate specific antigen are performed. The results make it possible to prescribe treatment, taking into account the severity of the disease, hidden disorders and possible contraindications.

Blood test

With pathology of the prostate gland, patients are prescribed both clinical and biochemical blood tests. A laboratory blood test allows you to track changes in the characteristics of leukocytes: the number and speed with which they are deposited. An increased level of leukocytes and ESR indicate the course of the inflammatory process in the body.

Biochemical analysis reveals pathologies of other organs that can be the cause of prostate disease. It is extremely important to determine the causative agent of the infection, the course of treatment depends on its characteristics.

PSA analysis makes it possible to determine cancer of the gland of any stage. After forty, blood for PSA is donated once a year. The referral is prescribed by the therapist. The analysis is taken on an empty stomach, during the week they abstain from sexual intercourse.

Urinalysis

Laboratory urinalysis is a simple way to identify pathologies in patients without urinary dysfunction. According to clinical analysis, the presence of inflammation is determined; in the later stages of the disease, purulent threads are detected. Dysfunction of the bladder and other organs is indicated by the presence of protein in the analysis.

When prostatitis is identified, urine is passed for the presence of microflora. Depending on the type of pathogen, a treatment plan is drawn up.

Biopsy

Prostate biopsy is the last stage of diagnosis.It is performed when cancers have been found in other studies or to be observed during the treatment process. The tissue is collected under anesthesia. The material is examined for the presence of infectious agents and malignant cells, as well as the level of the immune response. The results of the analysis indicate whether the therapy will be effective.

Cytological examination of a secret

Like a biopsy, cytological analysis of the secretion allows you to determine the presence of inflammation and the type of infectious agent. The doctor will massage the prostate and take a sample for examination. First, the characteristics of the liquid are assessed visually, then the structure of the cells is studied.

Hardware examination. In addition to laboratory tests, hardware testing is carried out.

Transrectal ultrasound

Transrectal ultrasound is performed at the first stages of the examination. This is the most accessible and reliable diagnostic method. Like palpation, TRUS provides information about the structural features of the organ. The patient lies on his side, a probe is inserted into the anus. The device transmits sound waves that are reflected off the cells. By the nature of the reflection, one can draw a conclusion about the state of the organ. If violations are noticed, you need to continue diagnostics.

Histoscan

Prostate cancer can be diagnosed with modern ultrasound technology - histoscanning. The intestines are emptied six hours before the examination, the bladder is emptied. TRUS is performed, the results of which are processed by histoscan. The device builds a volumetric model of the prostate on the basis of three projections. Using the model, the doctor determines the position of the formations and the optimal place for taking material for biochemical analysis.

Uroflowmetry

One of the signs of prostate problems is urinary disorders. Uroflowmetry allows you to measure quantitative indicators of the process. The patient urinates into the reservoir of the uroflowmeter. The device determines the maximum and average speed, urination time, urine volume.

Computed tomography

Changes in the size and shape of the prostate are also observed using computed tomography. The procedure is harmless, the volumetric image gives an idea of the presence of neoplasms, seals, changes in the appearance of the organ. CT is indicated before the start of radiation exposure to metastases, in order to affect only the affected area.

Examination of the prostate is continued after the completion of the course of therapy. If prostatitis is not completely cured, small stones, thickening of tissues, repeated inflammation can be observed in the prostate gland.