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Prostatitis is an infection of the prostate. It frequently occurs in men between the ages of 20-45. Most cases are the result of bacterial infections, however viral organisms may be involve. Prostatitis can be acute or chronic. The symptoms include painful urination, frequency of urination, and pain at the base of the penis. Urinary symptoms are often accompanied by fever, chills and feeling tired. The prostate is frequently enlarged. The urine will frequently show white cells and bacteria. Patients usually respond to antibiotics, bed rest and warm sitz baths several times a day.
Chronic prostatitis is a low grade inflammation associated with difficulty urinating. It is more difficult to treat than an acute infection and often does not respond to antibiotics. It is important to know that there is no evidence that relates prostate infections to the development of prostate cancer.
BPH is the consequence of aging and effects half the men over age 50. The exact cause is not known, but most experts believe that it is related to an increase in the byproduct of the male hormone, testosterone. As the prostate gland enlarges it restricts the flow of urine from the bladder. Typical symptoms of BPH include problems with urination, such as difficulty starting urinary stream, dribbling after urination, frequency of urination and getting up night to urinate. The diagnosis is confirmed by rectal examination, PSA blood study and conventional treatment is either surgical known as transurethral resection of prostate (TURP), this involves inserting an instrument into the urethra and using electrocautery through it to remove the obstruction in a piece meal fashion. Drugs can be used. They relax the prostate gland and improve urine flow. Drugs can be successful in some but not all cases, usually the smaller prostate will respond to medicinal treatment better than the large prostate. Following treatment of obstruction, there is significant improvement in the quality of life, the most noticeable change in being able to get a complete nights rest without having to get up frequently to urinate.
Cancer of the prostate effects over 140,000 men each year and is the cause of up to 50,000 deaths annually. It is the leading cause of cancer in older American men. Cancer of the prostate is potentially curable if it is confined to the prostate gland and is therefore diagnosed early. The diagnosis of prostate cancer is made by rectal examination, and a blood test, Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) and transrectal ultrasound. Most physicians recommend an annual rectal exam and a PSA after the age of 50 and after the age of 40 if a family member has had prostate cancer.
The Diagnosis of prostate cancer is confirmed by a biopsy which can be performed in the urologists office. If the cancer is confined treatment choices include surgical removal (radical prostatectomy), Radiation therapy or cryotherapy (Freezing of the prostate). A small percentage of men will develop urinary leakage or incontinence after radical prostatectomy. This usually subsides after several weeks, but if it does not treatment can be provided by implantation of collagen (contigen) in the area of the sphincter or the use of the artificial sphincter.
