Physicians recommend that, starting at 45, men should have an annual prophylactic digital-rectal examination, a urinalysis, a sonography of the bladder and kidneys and have their PSA level checked. PSA, which stands for "prostate-specific antigen," has become the most important marker in urology. However, an elevated PSA level can - but must not necessarily - indicate a prostate tumor.
If the suspicion of a prostatic carcinoma is substantiated, the concept at the Heidelberg Prostate Therapy Clinic is to employ special, non-invasive methods of examination. This enables a large number of unnecessary prostate biopsies to be avoided.

Approach without biopsies
However, the accuracy of a prostate biopsy is relatively low and is associated with clear risks. It often takes three or more punch biopsies, in which up to 30 samples are taken from the prostate, to diagnose prostate cancer. In doing so, it may cause bacteria to flow into the bloodstream, which can also cause life-threatening blood poisoning.

State-of-the-art laboratory methods enable the urine expressate (expressed by manipulation of the prostate) to be analysed by investigating the prostate cells excreted with the urine.

With this test, we are able to determine if gene sequences that are typical for cancer cells, in this case the PCA-3 gene, are active on the prostate cells. This makes it possible to assess the risk of prostate cancer far more clearly than by using the PSA level alone.
In addition, early detection in prostate cancer ultrasound diagnostics has markedly improved.

Using real-time elastography, tumor-typical solidifications that occur in cancerous tissue changes can be made visible long before they can be detected via digital-rectal examination. Tumor localization and the extent of the cancer can therefore also be assessed very early on. We have been using this ultrasound diagnostic procedure in the Clinic for Prostate Therapy since February 2008.
If these examinations lead to increased indications of prostate cancer, we confirm the diagnosis by performing a precise cell analysis, which is also carried out without a biopsy, through cell apheresis.

In the event that these investigations yield results that reinforce the suspicion of prostate carcinoma, the further diagnosis can be performed using high-resolution MRT imaging techniques. The finding can be confirmed by the histological examination of a single tissue sample, one that is taken not via the intestine, but instead via the skin.
Also the choline PET CT method of examination can render the tumour-typical metabolism in the tissue visible.
With the choline-PET-CT examination, the metabolism typical of tumors can be made visible in the tissue. In addition, extremely precise diagnostics can be performed to determine the spread of any cancerous tissue, which then determines the further strategy for therapy.

Therefore, with the help of these examinations, we are often able to avoid biopsies, and the information is far more comprehensive so that organ-saving prostate cancer therapy is possible in individual cases using high-intensity ultrasound (=> HIFU).

We will gladly consult with you. Please => contact us.