Prostate Disease
Source: Copyright © 2008 Harvard Health Publications | Date Posted: March 1, 2008
Prostate Disease
Dear Reader,
The prostate gland is a walnut-sized mass of tissue in the male reproductive system. As men age, changes in this small gland can lead to large disruptions in a man's life, from annoying urinary symptoms to potentially life-threatening cancer. For many men, prostate disease may become so severe that they alter their day-to-day activities, take medication, or even undergo surgery.
Prostate problems typically surface after age 50, although some men may experience them at a younger age. The causes of prostate disorders aren't fully understood, but studies suggest that a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors, including diet, play a role.
The three most common prostate disorders are prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), benign prostatic hyperplasia (a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate), and prostatic carcinoma (prostate cancer). Although these three diseases share some of the same symptoms, they are very different. Prostatitis is marked by painful or difficult urination; it has no effect on erectile function. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is extremely common in older men, can interfere with urination. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men (lung cancer is the first). In the United States, about 220,000 new cases are found every year, and about 27,000 men die from the disease. However, because this type of cancer grows slowly, most men who develop it do not die from it. Prostate cancer tends to run in families and is more common in African American men than in any other group.
As you approach middle age, you will have to make some decisions about screening for prostate cancer, which often involves some combination of digital rectal examinations (DREs) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. Talk to your doctor about your personal risk for prostate cancer, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of PSA testing, as you decide how to approach prostate cancer screening.
If you need treatment for prostate disease, you'll need to review your options carefully. Treatment can have side effects, including erectile dysfunction, impotence, and incontinence. Therefore it's important to weigh the risks and benefits for each procedure or medication in order to choose the treatment that is best for you. That's where this report will help. The following pages provide a road map of the path and pitfalls of maintaining prostate health. Work with your doctor to make informed choices along the way.
Sincerely,
W. Scott McDougal, M.D. Medical Editor
Review Date: 2008-03-01
Harvard Medical School does not endorse products or services.
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