Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer in men. In most cases, PCa does not cause any symptoms. Only a minority of cancers will progress rapidly and are potentially lethal. These need to be detected before they have spread out of the prostate. This relies on performing a digital rectal examination (DRE) and measuring prostate specific antigen (PSA). In case one of these tests is abnormal, a prostate biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis of PCa.

Unfortunately, to find all rapidly progressing cancers, the physicians need to recommend prostate biopsy in many men with an abnormal DRE and/or PSA. This has two unwanted consequences. Firstly, prostate biopsy main cause pain, bleeding and infection. Secondly, and more importantly, performing many biopsies may unveil many "indolent" cancers. These patients may receive a radical prostatectomy, even though their cancer would not likely have ever threatened their life or even caused symptoms. Furthermore, they are subjected to the side effects of prostatectomy (often including incontinence and impotence). This so-called over-treatment presents one of the largest challenges Urologists face today.

Hopefully, Prostate CAncer gene 3 (PCA3) testing may help solving this issue.

More info: Prostate cancer, Diagnosis and PCA3