Prostate inflammation occurs when the tissue that makes up the prostate becomes irritated. During inflammation, the prostate will grow in size due to swelling and potentially cause pain to the individual. The prostate issue may be either acute or chronic; the type can help in diagnosing what is causing the inflammation.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is a condition that causes inflammation or irritation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis can result from a bacterial infection and is known as bacterial prostatitis. Cases in which no bacteria are found to cause the inflammation is known as nonbacterial prostatitis. Bacteria involved in a common urinary tract infection can spread to the prostate and result in an immune response. Eventually, a robust immune system will defend against the bacterial infection without aid. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics if she suspects an infection that is especially difficult to fight.
Prostate Cancer
Cancer of the prostate can lead to an inflammatory response in the organ. Normally, cells in the prostate go through a life cycle in which they are produced, perform functions and then die. The dead cells get replaced by new cells that perform a similar life cycle. According to Mayo Clinic, mutations in the DNA can result in abnormal cells being produced that are unable to die. Cells that are unable to die grow uncontrollably and cause problems for the surrounding, healthy cells.
Autoimmune Disease
A 1997 study in the journal Urology presented evidence that an autoimmune response could have a part in causing chronic prostatitis. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system recognizes the body's own cells as foreign and begins to mount an immune response to it. In the case of the prostate, this can result in inflammation and pain not related to bacteria, virus or cancer. Additionally, an autoimmune response can present itself after a bacterial infection in the prostate has already occurred. The immune system may continue to function as if there is a bacterial infection, even after all of the bacteria have been wiped out. Treating an autoimmune disease can be tricky, as the goal is to reduce the action of the immune system, while still allowing it protect against true foreign antigens. Treatment can include both steroidal and non-steroidal immunosuppressive drugs.
