Just about all men will have some type of prostate problem with about half of all men having benign prostatic hyperplasia (a swollen prostate) by the age of 60 and approximately ninety percent having the problem before they reach 80. As its name suggests benign prostatic hyperplasia is a benign or non-malignant enlargement of the prostate gland and can often be treated using drugs or with minor minimally invasive surgery. The first step however is to confirm that the problem is in fact benign prostatic hyperplasia and that your symptoms are not the result of something else, such as a urinary tract infection or problems with the kidneys or bladder. While checking for an enlarged prostate gland it is crucial to also check for prostate cancer as, despite the fact that an enlarged prostate gland does not cause prostate cancer, it is possible for an enlarged prostate gland and prostate cancer to be found together. Initial testing usually involves a prostate exam, or digital rectal exam, together with an evaluation of the patient's symptoms and medical history. As the prostate gland is situated between the bladder and the rectum it is a simple matter for a doctor to put a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum while the patient is lying on his side to examine the prostate gland for signs of enlargement or abnormality. The prostate exam is perhaps not the most agreeable procedure but is more a case of being embarrassing rather than painful. It is also feasible for you to do your own prostate exam or for your partner to carry this out for you on a regular basis. Indeed, many men find that this relatively simple self examination may be carried out fairly easily once a month or so when taking a shower. This examination provides a great deal of peace of mind and can also allow any swelling to be found at a very early stage so that it can be treated. The doctor could well also request a variety fo laboratory tests at this point. These tests could include a blood test to determine PSA levels, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine and a urine test. PSA is found in the blood and is produced by the prostate gland with levels being raised a bit in response to an enlarged prostate and quite markedly in response to prostate cancer. The remaining tests are designed to look for the existence of a urinary tract infection or problems with the kidneys, both of which might produce symptoms which are similar to those found in cases of a swollen prostate. In certain cases a doctor might also request additional tests like an ultrasound examination to determine the size of the prostate gland and measure the volume of urine held in the bladder, or a cystoscopy (an exam carried out with a thin and flexible scope) to determine the state of the bladder and urethra. If none of these tests produce clear results a doctor might request a biopsy in which several small samples of tissue are removed from the prostate gland for microscopic evaluation.
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