Overview
如果您的医生告诉您，您的前列腺考试在您的前列腺上揭示了一个结节，您的第一个想法可能是cancer。但是，结节或其他对前列腺的更改并不一定意味着您患有癌症。继续阅读以了解有关前列腺结节的更多信息。
A nodule is a lump or area of hardness under the surface of the prostate. In some cases, a prostate stone, which is similar to a kidney stone, can be felt under the surface. It may seem like a nodule, but it’s really a tiny formation of calcified minerals. A stone is usually harmless. A true prostate nodule is an abnormal growth of cells that may or may not be cancerous.
Nodule vs. tumor
您可能会听到术语“结节”和“肿瘤”互换使用。在大多数情况下，它们的意思是相同的事情：细胞的异常生长。
A “nodule” is typically used to describe a very small mass of cells, while “tumor” generally refers to a larger growth. Doctors also tend to use tumor when describing a cancerous growth, though the phrase “benign tumor” is also used sometimes. If you’re ever unsure about a phrase your doctor uses, stop and ask for clarification.
Benign vs. malignant
A malignant prostate nodule is cancerous. That means that cells in a malignant nodule or tumor can spread into nearby tissue and organs.
A benign nodule is noncancerous, meaning the cells don’t spread.
并不总是清楚为什么异常细胞繁殖并形成结节和肿瘤。由于感染或对体内炎症的反应，可以形成良性或非癌性前列腺结节。这也可能是良性前列腺增生症(BPH), which is an enlarged prostate. BPH does not increase your risk of cancer. A malignant or cancerous nodule is a sign of prostate cancer.
前列腺结节不可能给你任何symptoms at first. If you develop BPH, you may have difficulty urinating or ejaculating. Cancer can be present without symptoms, so regular prostate exams are important.
PSA测试
如果您的医生找到一个结节，他们可能会订购前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）测试。PSA is a type of protein made by prostate cells. A simple blood test can measure the PSA in your bloodstream. High levels suggest cancer may be present, but PSA levels may be elevated for many reasons. You may have a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which simply means you have an enlarged prostate. Also, some people’s prostates tend to produce more PSA than others’.
如果您的水平高于正常水平，您的医生可能会安排另一项测试以比较结果。PSA水平的快速增加表明癌症。如果级别保持不变，可能建议您经历“注意等待”期。在此期间，您的医生每年都会检查您的前列腺，并注意健康的任何症状或变化。
活检
如果您的前列腺结节或扩大对您的医生似乎可疑，他们可能会建议前列腺活检。在活检过程中，医生去除了几个小样品前列腺组织，这些样品在实验室中进行了研究，以供癌细胞迹象。
第二个意见
筛查前列腺癌时，医生经常遇到假阳性。重要的是要询问您的医生会产生假阳性结果的可能性。前列腺癌治疗可能导致尿失禁和阳ot。如有必要，请寻求第二意见。直到您感觉到最好的医疗建议之前，不要急于进行一系列测试或治疗。
前列腺的结节或扩大通常不是癌症的迹象。如果结节原来是癌症，请知道前列腺癌是可以治疗的，尤其是在早期发现的情况下。每年，美国大约有18万例新的前列腺癌病例。
Prostate cancer tends to be a slow-growing cancer, so even if you are diagnosed, a period of watchful waiting may be your best bet.
问：
大结节或具有多个结节是否会增加结节癌的可能性？
A：
不一定，但是文献中没有直接研究该主题。结节可能是大多数在表面下方的肿瘤的一部分。结节的大小和数量与前列腺中癌症的风险没有明显相关。
医学博士Ricky Chen博士 Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.