Diagnostics
PSA Counseling & Testing
Why?
The prostate gland is an accessory reproductive organ. It is situated under the urinary bladder and encapsulates a portion of the urethra. The urethra conveys urine and seminal fluid via the penis. Any advanced changes in the prostate gland will cause urinary, sexual/ejaculatory symptomatology. However, early or intermediate stage cancer of the prostate gland will not cause symptoms.
How?
A simple blood test can measure Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), which is a protein produced by the prostate. The London Referral Guidance offers age specific PSA ranges that will prompt your health care provider to refer you to a specialist urological surgeon for a consultation.
Interpretation?
A PSA level may become falsely elevated or may be caused by several pathologies. At the Global Robotic Prostate, we offer a precise and rational approach to PSA interpretation.
Factors that cause PSA elevation include:
Non-pathological:
● Recent ejaculation or prostate manipulation
● Recent vigorous exercise
● Recent long haul travel
Pathological:
● An enlarged prostate that may cause urinary symptoms
● Inflammation or infection of the prostate
● Urine infection impacting the bladder
● Prostate cancer
Flexible Cystourethroscopy
This invasive diagnostic procedure is performed with endoscopic technology in an office and local anaesthetic setting. It is usually tolerated by patients in many practices globally.
The procedure is complete once the urethra and bladder lining are inspected. A brief time is necessary to gauge the surrounding prostate gland’s impact on this internally visualised lower urinary tract anatomy.
Transperineal Prostate Biopsy
This diagnostic procedure is performed after a patient’s MRI prostate scan. If the MRI scan has identified an area of interest, this procedure can be arranged promptly. It is performed either in an office or operating room setting.
We avoid a biopsy path through the rectum, and sample prostate tissue direclty from the perineal skin to the prostate gland. The benefits of this lie in lower risk of infective complications and hospital re-admissions.
Urinary Flow Rate or Uroflowmetry
This non-invasive diagnostic procedure is performed once the bladder is comfortably full. A voluntary void into the funnel changes the weight over time, which translates to a curve for our interpretation.
This curve is the average and maximum flow over time, unique to your prostate condition. It coincides with a simple bed side bladder ultrasound to determine the residual volume.
This can qualify the presence and/or extent of prostate obstruction. If invasive pressure measurements are clinically necessary, a urodynamic study will be performed separately.