What abnormality is suggestive of prostate cancer during a rectal examination?

The presence of an area of prostatic induration during a rectal examination is suggestive of prostate cancer. Induration refers to a localized hardening or thickening of tissue, which in this case indicates that the prostate tissue may be abnormal. In the context of prostate cancer, induration occurs due to the invasion of tumor cells, resulting in a firm, palpable mass that differs from the normal softness of healthy prostate tissue.

This finding is clinically significant as it may require further investigation, such as imaging studies or a biopsy, to definitively diagnose cancer. Prostate cancer can alter the texture and firmness of normal prostate tissue, making induration a key sign that healthcare providers look for during a digital rectal exam. The other options do not present the same level of specificity for malignancy; for example, an enlarged lobe or a boggy gland might suggest benign conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia rather than cancer. Similarly, profound tenderness often indicates inflammation or infection rather than the presence of cancer.