Prostate disease

Prostate Disease

Prostate disease refers to any medical condition that affects the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system; it wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Prostate disease is common in men, particularly in later life. The three most common forms of prostate disease are prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer.

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland that can be caused by infection, irritation, or autoimmune disease. It can occur in men of all ages. Symptoms include difficulty urinating, pain, fever, and chills. Treatment often involves antibiotics.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate gland. It can cause problems with urination, and it can affect men as they get older. Treatment options for BPH include medications, minimally invasive procedures, and surgery.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that occurs in the prostate. It is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. However, while some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of prostate disease often involves a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, a digital rectal exam, and sometimes a prostate biopsy. Treatment options vary depending on the type of prostate disease and can include medication, surgery, radiation therapy, and other treatments.

See Also

• Prostate-specific antigen
• Digital rectal exam
• Prostate biopsy