Question:
I'm told to make arrangements for a prostate ultrasound. Why would this test be recommended?
Answer:
There are several reasons why a man will need a prostate ultrasound. By far, the most common reason is to identify the location of the prostate gland as part of a prostate biopsy. This is usually done to determine whether there is prostate cancer. This method requires the use of a probe that is inserted into the rectum. The prostate gland is viewed on a screen, and the doctor can then remove pieces of tissue from the gland using a needle.
On occasion, a doctor may ask a man to have a prostate ultrasound to simply measure the size of the gland. In the past, the prostate ultrasound was used to try to detect abnormalities in the prostate gland that could possibly represent cancer. While once very common, the routine use of this test is no longer recommended, since it was not accurate enough when used as a stand-alone test.
Men who have had their prostate glands removed, usually for prostate cancer, may need a prostate ultrasound, especially if there seems to be some abnormality in the area that was previously occupied by the gland. This may indicate the presence of some residual cancer, especially if the ultrasound shows the presence of some abnormal tissue.
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