Prostate cancer is best diagnosed by?
**Core Concept**
Prostate cancer diagnosis involves a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and biochemical tests. The primary goal is to detect cancer at an early stage when it is more treatable.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) followed by biopsy. DRE is a crucial initial step in diagnosing prostate cancer, as it allows the clinician to assess the size, shape, and consistency of the prostate gland. A suspicious DRE finding can lead to a biopsy, which involves removing a sample of prostate tissue for histopathological examination. The biopsy result is essential for confirming the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test alone is not sufficient for diagnosing prostate cancer. Elevated PSA levels can be caused by various non-cancerous conditions, such as prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia.
* **Option B:** Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) is a useful imaging modality for guiding prostate biopsies but is not a primary diagnostic tool for prostate cancer.
* **Option C:** Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is not the first-line imaging modality for prostate cancer diagnosis. While MRI can be useful in staging and localizing prostate cancer, it is not as sensitive as DRE and biopsy for detecting cancer.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A digital rectal examination (DRE) can detect prostate abnormalities, but it is not 100% sensitive. A normal DRE does not rule out prostate cancer, and a suspicious DRE requires further investigation with a biopsy.
**Correct Answer:** C.