The prostate generally enlarges as a result of inflammation, generalized overgrowth from hormones or tumors. Diseases of the prostate are very common and occur more frequently as men age. Common causes include inflammation, infection, benign prostatic hypertropy or BPH, benign tumors and cancerous tumors.
Inflammation/Infection
Inflammation is a reaction classically described as consisting of swelling, heat, pain, redness, and loss of function, though not all necessarily occur during the reaction. Inflammation may be caused by infection, physical injury such as trauma, chemical injuries or immune processes. Bacterial infections of the prostate, known as bacterial prostatitis, may spread from the bladder, but other urinary tract infections or be isolated. Infection may present with any combination of pelvic or perineal pain, fevers or pain with urination. Diagnosis includes urine tests. The condition can be treated with antibiotics.
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
Benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH, occurs nearly universally among men and is the most frequent cause of urinary tract obstructions, according to "BRS Pathology," by Drs. Schneider and Szanto. BPH is overgrowth, or hypertrophy, of normal tissue, caused by the potent male hormone dihydrotestosterone. It is not related to cancer and does not lead to cancer but the two conditions may coexist. It tends to occur in the periurethral and transitional zones, which surround the urethra. Growth of tissue in this area causes compression of the urethra and difficulty with urination. Some treatment options include the use of drugs which relax the muscles in the prostate or drugs that block DHT formation. In addition, surgical procedures may relieve the obstruction.
Benign Tumors
Adenosis and sclerosing adenosis are benign lesions of the prostate that may mimic prostate cancer. However, microscopic studies of the tissue after biopsy usually can differentiate these benign entities from cancerous ones.
Cancerous Tumors
According to "Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease," prostate cancers can range from an incidental finding to highly aggressive. It accounts for about one-third of the cancer diagnoses in the United States and about one-tenth of the cancer deaths. Screening generally begins between age 40 and 50, and may include a digital rectal exam and testing for a protein made by the prostate called prostate specific antigen, or PSA. Treatment options include hormonal manipulations, radiation and surgery.
References
- "Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease"; Kumar, Abbas, Fausto, Aster; 2009
- "BRS Pathology"; Schneider and Szanto; 2009
- "The Practice of Surgical Pathology"; Molavi; 2008
