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Urology (Expert Forum)
prostate exam--any other way besides rectal
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
prostate exam--any other way besides rectal
by nick7__0, Jul 18, 1998 12:00AM
48 years old--last time had rectal exam --it hurt and kept hurting in the rectum for about a week-- but doc said no prostate problem or infection--I do have a severe lower back problem--what I'd like to know is--will a psa test also show BPH or infection-can a psa test be done instead of a rectal-are there any other ways to examine the prostate instead of the rectal?
Thank you
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Dear Nick,
The rectal exam is on important part of the male physical exam. It gives the physician information about the prostate and colon that cannot be obtained by any other method.The prostate is assessed for size, symmetry and nodularity. The colon is examined to evaluate possible masses that may represent colon cancer and the stool is checked for occult blood also an early sign of cancer. This uncomfortable exam is essential to a thorough yearly evaluation.
PSA is an important screening tool that is used in conjunction with the rectal exam to screen for prostate cancer. An elevated PSA can be the only early sign of prostate cancer. Urinalysis is the best method of detection of infection. Unfortunately, there are no other ways to examine the prostate than rectal examination during a physical examination. If abnormalities on rectal exam or PSA are seen a transrectal ultrasound study of the prostate would be indicated.
HFHS MD-KR
*keyword: rectal exam
Thank you
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Nick,
The rectal exam is on important part of the male physical exam. It gives the physician information about the prostate and colon that cannot be obtained by any other method.The prostate is assessed for size, symmetry and nodularity. The colon is examined to evaluate possible masses that may represent colon cancer and the stool is checked for occult blood also an early sign of cancer. This uncomfortable exam is essential to a thorough yearly evaluation.
PSA is an important screening tool that is used in conjunction with the rectal exam to screen for prostate cancer. An elevated PSA can be the only early sign of prostate cancer. Urinalysis is the best method of detection of infection. Unfortunately, there are no other ways to examine the prostate than rectal examination during a physical examination. If abnormalities on rectal exam or PSA are seen a transrectal ultrasound study of the prostate would be indicated.
HFHS MD-KR
*keyword: rectal exam
