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Conditions that Can Arise in the Prostate

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The prostate has become a hot spot for problems after a man is past his reproductive years because the prostate consists of several different cell types. These cell types don't always interact properly, and that is when a problem arises. Incorrect "communication" between the different types of cells is responsible for prostatic diseases.

There are several clinical conditions that a prostate can be diagnosed with that are not cancerous such as infections, inflammations or an enlarged prostate. These problems are very common among men of all ages and can be treated.

Because the prostate surrounds the urethra, sometimes the prostate can close off the passageway that carries urine out of the body causing a number of discomforts. This condition is known as prostatism. Some of these problems caused from prostatism include a decrease in the force of the urine stream, having to push the urine out, the feeling that the bladder is constantly full, increased trips to the bathroom during the night and intermittent stopping and starting of the urine stream.

Prostatitis is a condition that describes an inflamed prostate that can be accompanied by pain or discomfort, frequent or infrequent urination and maybe even fever.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) refers to the condition of having an enlarged prostate, which is the most common prostate condition. It can also cause pain and discomfort as well as urination problems. BHP can be detected through a blood test because it increases the PSA levels in the blood by two or three times. BHP is not cancerous, but the symptoms are very similar to those of prostate cancer.

Other conditions that can arise in the prostate include impotence, or the inability to have or keep an erection, and urinary incontinence. Incontinence is the loss of bladder control.

The most serious condition of course is prostate cancer. The number of cancerous incidences has been on the rise for the last few decades, as well as the number of deaths. However, the survival rate for men with prostate cancer is also on the rise. The survival rate of the last 20 years has risen from 67% to over 90% because men are getting earlier detection of the cancer.

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