What is the prostate?
Older man reads prostate problems The prostate is a small gland in men that helps produce semen. It is located just below the bladder in front of the rectum and wraps around the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. It tends to get bigger with age. If your prostate becomes too large, it can lead to a number of health problems.
General issues
Here are some examples of non-cancerous prostate problems:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is very common in older men. This means that your prostate is enlarged but not cancerous. Treatments for BPH include:
Watchful waiting, also called active surveillance. If your symptoms are not that severe, your doctor may ask you to wait and see if they get worse before starting treatment. Your doctor will tell you how often to come back for a checkup.
Medication. Medication can help shrink the prostate or relax the muscles near your prostate to relieve symptoms.
Surgery. If nothing else has worked, your doctor may suggest surgery to help the urine flow.
Other treatments. Radio waves, microwaves or lasers are sometimes used to treat urinary problems caused by BPH. These methods use different types of heat to reduce extra prostate tissue.
Acute bacterial prostatitis usually starts suddenly with a bacterial infection. Contact your doctor immediately if you have fever, chills, or pain in addition to prostate symptoms. Most cases can be cured with antibiotics. You may also need medication to relieve pain or discomfort.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is an infection that keeps coming back. This rare problem can be difficult to treat. Sometimes taking antibiotics for a long time can work. Talk to your doctor about other things you can do to feel better.
Chronic prostatitis, also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is a common prostate problem. This can cause pain in the lower back, groin, or tip of the penis. Treatment may require a combination of medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes.
Be sure to talk to your doctor about the possible side effects of the treatment.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is common in American men. Your chances of developing prostate cancer may be affected by:
Age. Men over 50 are more at risk.
Run. Prostate cancer is most common in African American men, followed by Hispanic and Native American men. Men of Asian-American descent have the lowest rates of prostate cancer.
Family story. If your father or brother had prostate cancer, the more likely you are to develop it.
Diet. The risk of prostate cancer may be higher in men following a high fat diet.
Diagnosis of prostate cancer
To find out if cancer is causing prostate symptoms, your doctor will ask you questions about your previous medical problems and your family’s medical history. Your doctor will also do a physical exam. During the exam, your doctor will stick a gloved finger into your rectum to examine your prostate for:
The size, firmness and texture of the prostate
Any hard area, lump, or growth that extends beyond the prostate
Any pain caused by touching or pressing on the prostate
You may be asked to provide a urine sample for testing. Your doctor may also do a blood test to check the levels of PSA (prostate specific antigen). PSA levels can be high in men with an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. You may also need an ultrasound, which takes computer images of the prostate.
If the tests show you have cancer, your doctor will refer you to a specialist (urologist) for a prostate biopsy. The doctor will take small samples of tissue from different areas of the prostate to look for cancer cells.
Treatment of prostate cancer
Treatment for prostate cancer depends on whether the cancer is partially or completely in the prostate or whether it has spread to other parts of the body. It also depends on your age and general health. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment option for you and the potential side effects of treatment. You will want