Monday, February 13, 2012

Digital rectal exam

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

DRE


Normal Values

A normal finding means the doctor did not detect any problem during the exam. However, this test does not completely rule out all possible problems.


What abnormal results mean

An abnormal result may be due to:

  • A prostate problem, including prostate enlargement or prostate cancer
  • Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract
  • Tumor of the rectum
  • Other problems within the rectum


Review Date: 02/02/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)

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