Prostate Question

[DocDokGoose]

Using just history and physical exam, before blood work and urinalysis, can prostate cancer be confused with prostatitis?

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[rigid]

I may be wrong but i believe on DRE prostatitis would be felt as a diffuse enlargement of the prostate whereas prostate cancer has the typical hard, irregular and focal enlargement of the prostate

 

[cpants]

Using just history and physical exam, before blood work and urinalysis, can prostate cancer be confused with prostatitis?

Yes. The history and physical is neither sensitive nor specific for either diagnosis. Both conditions can present with similar symptoms and cause nodules and irregularly shaped prostates. A biopsy is the only way to diagnose prostate cancer.