The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. It sits at the base of the urinary bladder in front of the rectum. The prostate gland produces prostatic fluid, which makes up part of the semen released during ejaculation. Diseases of the prostate gland can occur throughout adult life and range in severity from mild to potentially life-threatening.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. The American Urological Association (AUA) reports there are four types of prostatitis: acute bacterial, chronic bacterial, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis are caused by an infection of the prostate gland. Bacteria that commonly cause this infection include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter species and Proteus species. Fever, chills, urinary urgency and frequency, and pain in the genital area or low back are common symptoms of bacterial prostatitis.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) states chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is the most common form of prostatitis. Although the exact cause of this disorder is poorly understood, it is clear that it is not caused by infection. Symptoms typically wax and wane, and include genital and pelvic pain, difficult or painful urination, and pain associated with ejaculation. In contrast, asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis causes no symptoms. This disorder is usually found coincidentally. Inflammatory cells infiltrate the prostate with this condition. Because asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis does not cause symptoms, however, the AUA states this condition is generally not treated.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
The prostate gland slowly grows throughout adult life causing a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. This benign growth of the prostate can cause urinary symptoms if the excess tissue encroaches on the neck of the urinary bladder and urethra--the tube through which semen and urine flow from the body. Encroachment on these structures causes a partial obstruction of urine outflow from the bladder leading to symptoms including a weak urine stream, frequent urination, nighttime urination, urinary urgency and incontinence. The AUA reports that approximately 50 percent of men ages 51 through 60 have symptoms of BPH. The likelihood of BPH symptoms increases with advancing age.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men other than skin cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that more than 192,000 men in the United States were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009. The symptoms of prostate cancer overlap with those of BPH. For this reason, it is important to see your doctor if you have urinary symptoms. Treatment of early-stage prostate cancer is highly effective. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the five-year survival rate among men treated for prostate cancer limited to the prostate and regional lymph nodes is 100 percent. When prostate cancer spreads or metastasizes to other organs, however, five-year survival drops to approximately 30 percent. The risk of prostate cancer increases with advancing age. NCI reports the median age for prostate cancer diagnosis is 67. Less than 1 percent of prostate cancer occurs in men younger than age 45.
References
- American Urological Association: Prostatitis
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Prostatitis, Disorders of the Prostate
- Medline Plus: Acute Bacterial Prostatitis
- Medline Plus: Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
- Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
