Can A Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) 'See' Prostate Cancer?

March 16, 2009 -- Question: Can a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) 'see' prostate cancer?

Answer: The transrectal ultrasound is utilized to visualize the prostate. Occasionally prostate cancer can be seen by increased areas of density or decreased areas of density. But in general it is a very insensitive way of diagnosing prostate cancer. For that reason, we typically have to take biopsies from the prostate from the areas of the prostate where cancers most commonly occur in order to diagnose the disease.