Prostate Disease in Men What You Need to Know

Prostate Disease in Men Essential Information

Prostate cancer features as the second most common cancer in men after lung cancer. In 2018, over one million cases were registered, out of which 358,989 lost their lives. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that secretes fluid to make up semen. From prostatitis to benign prostatic hyperplasia to prostate cancer, this small male organ is not always free of diseases. This article covers everything you need to know about common prostate diseases affecting men (Rawla, 2019).

Prostate Diseases

Below is a list of common prostate diseases:

• Prostatitis

Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland, most commonly due to bacterial infections.

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
  Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia involves the proliferation of tissue within the prostate, resulting in an overall increase in the size and mass of the gland. It is common in men above 50 years old.
• Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer occurs more commonly in men above 50 years old. It can sometimes spread to the spine via the Batson venous plexus.

• Prostatic Calculi

Calculi which are stones, can sometimes lodge inside the prostate.

*NOTE: You can find a detailed summary chart at the end of this article comparing the most common or life-threatening conditions affecting the prostate.

What are the signs and symptoms?

The signs and symptoms of prostatic diseases include:

• Hesitancy to pass urine
• Poor urine stream
• Painful urination
• Pelvic pain
• Threads in urine
• Urinary retention

Important Tests

Depending on your clinical picture, your healthcare professional will want to order certain tests to diagnose your illness. The most routinely used tests for prostate diseases are:

• Urine culture for infections
• Ultrasound scan of the prostate
• Prostate-Specific Antigen levels (PSA)
• Prostate Biopsy

Management

The treatment of prostate diseases varies according to the patient’s clinical picture, risk factors, family history, age, and many other factors. The following medications are usually prescribed:

• Antibiotics for infection
• Alpha-blockers for BPH
• Prostate surgery
  • Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
    TURP is a procedure used to remove the excess prostatic tissue by passing a probe through the urethra, the anatomical tube from which urine exits the body.
  • Radical Prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure used to take out the whole prostate. It is usually done when the prostate weighs more than 50 grams.

• Radiotherapy

Prevention

You can make changes to lower your risk. Here are some recommended strategies to protect yourself:  

• Have a low fat and low carbohydrate diet

There is some scientific evidence that consuming a low fat and low carbohydrate diet can lower the risk of prostate cancer. To lower your consumption of fat and carbohydrates, choose low-fat options like skimmed milk, whole-grain foods, and lean meat.

• Eat more fruits and vegetables

Eating more fruits and vegetables not only lowers the risk of prostate cancer but also of other diseases. Research says fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants that can prevent inflammatory changes inside the body. Further studies are warranted to identify which nutrients, in particular, confer the greatest benefits for prostate health in men. Studies found possible therapeutic links with resveratrol, vitamin E and vitamin C (Lin, Aronson and Freedland, 2015).

• Maintain a healthy weight

A positive association was found between obesity and severe prostate cancer.  Maintaining a healthy weight not only promotes overall health but also lowers the risk of prostate cancer (Taneja, 2017).

New Promising Findings on Prostate Cancer

1. Green tea catechins can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer

Green tea has been consumed as a traditional beverage for centuries. Some studies reported the potential protective properties of green tea against prostate cancer. However, further research is warranted (Masko et al., 2011).

2. Novel ultrasound treatment for prostate cancer

A new treatment using transurethral ultrasound ablation has successfully treated 80% of the patients enrolled in a study. This technique uses ultrasound waves to heat and to kill the cancerous tissues. This new treatment is promising and has fewer side effects than the current treatment options. (Case Research, 2019)

Legal Disclaimer

Caution: Content on this site is for reference purposes and is not intended to substitute for advice given by a licensed health-care professional.  You should not use this information as self-diagnosis or for treating a health problem.  Contact your health-care provider immediately if you suspect that you have a medical problem.

References:

Read More:

Liver Disease in Men

Pharmacology of Antihistamines