The prostate is a natural and important part of the male reproductive system. However, since it is often associated only with diseases in society, even the incorrect expression “having prostate” has become widespread. In fact, the prostate is a normal organ found in every man, and it may undergo structural changes especially with advancing age. According to specialists, although a significant portion of prostate-related problems are caused by benign enlargement, more serious conditions such as prostate cancer or infections may also occur in some cases. Especially changes in urination habits should be taken seriously, and regular urology check-ups should not be neglected, as they are of great importance for early diagnosis. The urology specialists at Adana Private Yaşam Center explained all the details wondered about the prostate, from its function to the most common diseases, symptoms, and modern treatment methods.
What Is the Prostate, What Does It Do, and Why Is It Important?
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder in men and surrounding the beginning part of the urinary canal. The main function of the prostate gland is to produce prostate fluid, which protects and nourishes sperm cells. This fluid makes up an important part of semen and contributes to the healthy continuation of reproductive functions. Due to the anatomical position of the prostate surrounding the urinary canal, enlargement, inflammation, or tumoral changes in the gland may affect urine flow. Therefore, the first signs of prostate diseases often appear as urination problems.
What Are the Types of Prostate Diseases?
Diseases related to the prostate can basically be evaluated in three main groups.
Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPH – Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia): This is a natural enlargement generally developing due to hormonal changes in men over the age of 50 and does not tend to become cancerous. This enlargement is not cancer and does not spread to other organs. However, enlargement of the prostate may put pressure on the urinary canal and make urination difficult.
Prostate Cancer (Malignant Prostate Disease): It occurs as a result of uncontrolled and abnormal proliferation of cells in prostate tissue. In many cases, the disease may not show symptoms in the early stage. When prostate cancer is detected at an early stage, the success rate of treatment increases significantly.
Prostatitis (Inflammation of the Prostate): It is the inflammation of the prostate gland due to infection-related or non-infectious causes. It is more common in young and middle-aged men and may progress suddenly (acute) or over a long period (chronic).
What Are the Symptoms of Prostate Diseases?
Since early-stage prostate cancer often does not show symptoms, specialists recommend that regular urology check-ups should not be neglected from certain ages onward, even if there are no complaints. Prostate disorders usually present with similar symptoms due to pressure on the urinary tract. The most common symptoms are:
- Difficulty or hesitation when starting urination,
- Weak urine flow and interrupted urination,
- Frequent need to urinate (especially waking up at night),
- Sudden urge to urinate and urinary incontinence,
- Feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied,
- Burning or pain during urination,
- Blood in the urine or semen (especially in cases of prostate cancer or infection).
- In some cases, pain in the groin, pelvis, or lower back region.
How Are Prostate Diseases Diagnosed?
Several complementary methods offered by modern medicine may be used in the diagnosis of prostate diseases.
Patient History and Physical Examination
After listening to the patient’s complaints, a rectal examination (digital prostate examination) is performed to evaluate the size and consistency of the prostate. This examination is brief and is especially important in evaluating findings such as hardness or irregularity in the prostate.
PSA Test (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
It is a simple blood test measuring the level of PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) in the blood. Elevated PSA may occur due to different reasons such as prostate enlargement, infection, or prostate cancer. Therefore, elevated PSA alone does not mean cancer; the result must always be evaluated together with other examination and imaging methods.
Imaging Methods (Transrectal Ultrasound, Prostate MRI)
Ultrasonography (especially transrectal ultrasound) and, when necessary, Prostate MRI, which provides more detailed imaging, may be used to examine the structure of the prostate. In particular, prostate MRI plays an important role today in identifying suspicious areas.
Urine Flow Test (Uroflowmetry)
This test measures the speed and strength of urine flow and provides information about the degree of obstruction in the urinary tract.
Prostate Biopsy
If PSA elevation or examination findings are suspicious, a prostate biopsy may be performed for a definitive diagnosis. During this procedure, small tissue samples are taken from the prostate for pathological examination.
How Is Prostate Treatment Performed?
The treatment plan is individually designed according to the type of disease (benign, malignant, or inflammatory), the patient’s age, general health condition, and severity of symptoms.
Treatment of Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPH)
- Follow-up and Lifestyle Changes: Regular follow-up may be sufficient in patients with mild complaints. Regulating fluid intake, avoiding excessive fluid consumption late at night, and reducing habits that irritate the bladder may be recommended.
- Medication Treatment: Some medications relax the muscles around the prostate, while others may help reduce prostate volume. The choice of treatment may vary according to the patient’s complaints and prostate size.
- Surgical Treatments: Surgical methods may be considered in patients who do not benefit from medication treatment or who have severe obstruction. Today, prostate tissue is removed using up-to-date and minimally invasive methods such as closed surgery techniques (TUR-P), laser treatments (HoLEP, ThuLEP), or water vapor therapy (Rezum).
Prostate Cancer Treatment
- Active Surveillance: In low-risk and slow-progressing prostate cancer cases, immediate surgery or advanced treatment may not be applied. In this approach, the patient is closely monitored with regular PSA tests, prostate examinations, and imaging methods when necessary, and the treatment plan is reassessed if signs of disease progression are detected.
- Surgery (Radical Prostatectomy): This is the complete removal of the prostate gland in cases where the cancer has not spread outside the prostate. It may be performed with open, laparoscopic, or robotic surgery.
- Radiation Therapy (Radiotherapy): The use of high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells.
- Hormonal Therapy and Chemotherapy: In advanced or metastatic cases, drug treatments may be used to suppress tumor growth.
Prostatitis Treatment
Treatment of prostatitis is planned according to the underlying cause. While antibiotic therapy is used in bacterial infections, supportive treatments may also be applied to control pain and reduce urinary complaints. Chronic prostatitis may require long-term follow-up in some patients. +++++
What Should Be Considered to Prevent the Development of Prostate Diseases?
Specialists state that alongside uncontrollable factors such as aging and genetic predisposition, lifestyle changes may be effective in reducing the risk of prostate diseases.
- Balanced Nutrition: Specialists state that a Mediterranean-type diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats may support prostate health. There are studies pointing to the positive effects of lycopene found in tomatoes, unsaturated fatty acids such as olive oil and omega-3, and green vegetables. On the other hand, limiting excessive red meat and saturated fat consumption is recommended.
- Maintaining an Ideal Weight: There is a direct connection between obesity, metabolic syndrome, and prostate enlargement. Efforts should be made to maintain an ideal weight by leading an active lifestyle.
- Adjusting Fluid Intake: Adequate water should be consumed during the day, but fluid intake should be reduced 2–3 hours before bedtime to avoid waking up at night.
- Limiting Alcohol and Caffeine: Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking may negatively affect urological health as well as general health.
- Regular Exercise: Regular walking or exercise several days a week contributes to prostate health by improving blood circulation in the pelvic region.
- Regular Doctor Check-ups: The most effective protection method against prostate diseases is early diagnosis. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are recommended to have a urology examination once a year starting from ages 40–45, while other men are advised to start annual check-ups from age 50.
What PSA Level Is Considered Risky?
PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) is a protein produced by the prostate gland, and measuring its level in the blood is an important indicator in evaluating prostate diseases. However, specialists particularly emphasize that elevated PSA alone does not mean prostate cancer. In general;
- PSA values below 4 ng/mL may be considered normal for most men.
- PSA values between 4–10 ng/mL are defined as intermediate-level results where different possibilities such as prostate enlargement, infection, or cancer are evaluated together.
- Within this range, different causes such as prostate enlargement, infection, or prostate cancer may be involved.
- At PSA levels above 10 ng/mL, the possibility of prostate cancer may increase and further evaluation may be required.
However, PSA levels may vary according to age. For example, since prostate volume may naturally increase in advanced ages, PSA levels may also rise. In addition, the following situations may temporarily increase PSA:
- Benign prostatic enlargement (BPH),
- Prostate infection (prostatitis),
- Urinary tract infections,
- Recent prostate examination or biopsy,
- Intense cycling,
- Sexual activity within the last 24–48 hours.
Therefore, a high PSA result alone does not diagnose cancer. The PSA test is interpreted together with the patient’s age, complaints, prostate examination findings, and, if necessary, other evaluations such as prostate MRI. Specialists emphasize that especially men with a family history of prostate cancer should not neglect regular urology check-ups.
