14. Changes in the digital rectal examination
In a digital rectal examination, urologists can detect several abnormalities in the prostate gland. The most noticeable is an increase in size, which is evident for skilled doctors. Another meaningful change is that the prostate gland feels nodular, irregular in shape, or hardened in certain areas. This is a sign of prostate cancer and should be evaluated further with imaging tests and the PSA test. Another finding is the tenderness of the prostate gland, which is more severe when the prostate is more inflamed. Tenderness can also be found in prostatitis, which is a differential diagnosis.