Editing Patient Pathways: Prostate Cancer (section)

== 1. Diagnostic ==

The patient presents with symptoms such as: difficulty urinating, frequent urination, pelvic pain, blood in the urine or semen, or bone pain.

'''Consultation with a doctor''' general practice.

'''Medical history and physical examination:''' Detailed medical history of the patient, digital rectal examination (DRE).

'''Initial tests:''' Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, complete blood count (CBC).

'''Referral to a urologist''' for further evaluation.

'''Diagnostic evaluation'''

'''Magnetic resonance: MRI of the pelvis''' to assess the local extent of the cancer and the stage of the cancer. The MR scan shows whether a biopsy should be done and if so, where exactly the tissue sample should be taken.

'''Transrectal ultrasound:''' visualization for taking prostate tissue samples (biopsy). The biopsy sample is sent for pathological examination to confirm the diagnosis of cancer.

'''CT scan:''' chest, abdomen and pelvis to check the spread of cancer and the presence of metastases.

'''Bone scintigraphy:''' assessment of bone metastases.

'''Laboratory tests:''' further assessment of PSA levels.

'''Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations''' can show how aggressive the tumor is.

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