Prostate cancer

Cancer is caused when healthy prostate cells change and grow out of control, forming a tumor. This tumor can be benign or malignant; a malignant or cancerous tumor can grow or spread to other parts of the body.

What is prostate-specific antigen (PSA)?

It is a protein produced by prostate cells that is used as a tumor marker. Finding high levels of this antigen in the blood could indicate the existence of a malignant tumor.

Some signs and symptoms may include:

Pain or burning when urinating
Pain or burning when urinating
Weak or interrupted urine flow
Weak or interrupted urine flow
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction
Increased frequency of urination, even at night
Increased frequency of urination, even at night
Discomfort or pain when sitting
Discomfort or pain when sitting
Blood in urine or seminal fluid
Blood in urine or seminal fluid

Diagnosis

Digital rectal examination, prostate antigen concentration and transrectal ultrasound are valuable diagnostic tools to obtain indications of prostate cancer, but a definitive diagnosis can only be made with a biopsy.

CC-10176 / JUNE 2025

American Society of Clinical Oncology. Cáncer de Próstata: Introducción, 2018. Disponible en: https://www.cancer.net/es/tipos-de-cancer/cancer-de-mama/introduccion

– American Society of Clinical Oncology. Signos y síntomas del cáncer de próstata. 2019. Disponible en: https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/cancer-de-prostata/deteccion-diagnostico-clasificacion.por-etapa/senales-sintomas.htlm-binasss.sa.cr

Revista Médica de Costa Rica y Centroamerica LXXIII (620) 707 – 710, 2016

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