Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Finland. More than 4,000 cases are diagnosed annually, and the majority of them are completely cured. For optimum treatment results, it is important that assessments and treatments are started as early as possible.

Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer

Localised prostate cancer is often asymptomatic, although it may cause trouble urinating, impotence and blood in urine. If the cancer has spread (metastasised) to the skeleton, pain in the pelvis, hips and back may also occur. None of these symptoms are unique to cancer, as they could also be due to other reasons such as an infection. However, the symptoms always require further evaluation.

Diagnosis

Ideally, cancer should be diagnosed before it has grown large enough to cause the symptoms described above. Asymptomatic prostate cancer is often detected on the basis of elevated PSA levels. PSA tests, which are performed on a blood sample, allow early cancer detection and prompt treatment.

Prostate cancer is diagnosed using ultrasound-guided needle biopsies taken through the rectum. Six biopsies are typically taken from the right side of the prostate and six from the left. The majority of prostate cancers start in glandular tissue. The aggressiveness of the cancer correlates with its degree of cellular differentiation.
If these values are elevated, a bone scan should be conducted. An MRI is the best tool for assessing the local spread and stage of the cancer.

Read more on imaging methods >>

Bone scan
NaF-PET-CT
Choline PET-CT

MRI study of the prostate >>

What does a PSA  test reveal? >>

General information about prostate cancer >>