PSA Screening Test

Should a PSA screening test be part of a prostate exam? Read the response of Dr. Claus Roehrborn, professor and chairman of the UT Southwestern Department of Urology.

The Prostate Diseases Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center is dedicated to conducting advanced research into the causes and cures for prostate disease. This research, combined with our extensive clinical experience, enables UT Southwestern to provide patients with the best possible medical care.

The prostate is a small organ that is part of the male system of urinary and genital organs. It is located under the bladder and surrounds the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder through the penis). The primary function of the prostate gland is to produce part of the fluid that makes up semen.

There are three basic kinds of prostate disease: prostatitis, enlarged prostate (also known as BPH) and prostate cancer.

• Prostatitis - Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate. This condition is not related to cancer, though all of these conditions can have similar symptoms. Sometimes prostatitis is caused by bacteria. In other cases, the cause is unknown. There are a number of treatments for prostatitis, including antibiotics and specific kinds of exercise.
  
  

• Enlarged prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) - As men age, their prostates enlarge and squeeze the urethra, prompting symptoms that include poor urinary flow, frequent urination, urgency to urinate and nighttime urination. The condition can progress to acute urinary retention or require surgery to prevent further complications such as urinary-tract infections, bleeding and bladder stones. Almost 60 percent of men over the age of 50 experience problems due to prostate enlargement.
  
  
• Prostate cancer - Prostate cancer is a serious disease. If caught early, however, it can be very treatable. Unfortunately, prostate cancer is often a "silent disease," presenting few symptoms. When more obvious symptoms do occur, they can be confused with those of men with enlarged prostate (BPH). That is why men with urinary problems should always see their doctors. The initial tests for prostate cancer are fairly simple, and include a physical examination and a blood test.