Doctor - Dismissing Abnormal Prostate Cancer Test Results Could Lead To Malpractice Claim
There are tests that enable the detection of some types of cancers, for instance prostate cancer, prior to the time the patient shows symptoms. The thought is to detect the cancer in the beginning stages while treatment is likely to cure the cancer instead of waiting until the cancer advances and spreads at which point there is currently no known cure. The first test is the digital examination. During this examination the doctor uses a gloved finger to physically examine the prostate gland for any signs of enlargement, hardening, or the existence of growths, any of which could be a sign of cancer. The second test is the PSA blood test which measures the level of prostate specific antigen in the man's system. A PSA above 4. ng/ml is generally thought to be abnormal. Because prostate cancer raises the PSA level when prostate cancer advances physicians normally advice a biopsy when the PSA test comes back high.
When an issue other than prostate cancer causes the PSA level to climb the elevated PSA is called a