The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that secretes fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. An enlargement of the prostate refers to an abnormal increase in the size of the prostate. This growth can cause difficultly urinating and pain upon urination. Enlargement of the prostate can be caused by a variety of diseases, and understanding the underlying cause of the condition can help in diagnosis and treatment.
Genetics
Prostate enlargement has been associated with a genetic abnormality, according to MayoClinic.com. Patients who have a blood relative, such as a brother or a father, with prostate problems are at a high risk for developing enlargement of the prostate. Caucasian and African American men are also more commonly affected by prostate enlargement. Patients with these genetic backgrounds should be tested frequently for prostate enlargement.
Androgens
Androgens are male hormones that are in charge of prostate growth, according to the American Cancer Society. In older men, abnormalities in these hormones, especially the hormone testosterone, can cause excessive growth in the prostate. Testosterone is the chief reproductive androgen in men. This hormone is produced in the adrenal glands and the testes.
Aging
The normal process of aging can be a cause of significant enlargement of the prostate, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. As the patient ages, there are subtle changes in the secretion of hormones. These age-related changes can lead to a very enlarged prostate. This enlargement usually does not produce symptoms in men younger than 40, but men in their 60s often develop signs of an enlarged prostate. Signs can include difficulty initiating urination, a feeling of incomplete voiding and pain upon urination.
Prostate Cancer
Cancer of the prostate can cause enlargement in the gland, reports the American Cancer Society. Adenocarcinoma is the most common cancer that affects the prostate. Cancer causes excessive reproduction of the cells within the prostate.
