Men's Health Flashcards
What are the most common pathogens in prostatitis?
- older men: E coli, Proteus, other Gram- bacteria
- younger men: chlamydia and gonorrhea
What is the difference between hyperplasia and hypertrophy?
hyperplasia = increase in number of cells
hypertrophy = increase in size of cells
What are the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia?
- early symptoms (obstructive - insidious onset):
=> weak stream, intermittent flow, straining, incomplete emptying, hesitancy, diffusely enlarged prostate (loss of median sulcus) - late symptoms (irritative):
=> frequency, urgency, nocturia
What are the signs and symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis?
frequent UTIs; no fever; prostate is non-tender/minimally tender, “boggy,” diffusely enlarged
What are the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer?
often asymptomatic, asymmetric prostate enlargement (outer/posterior edge of prostate), can be detected via digital rectal exam, prostate is hard
What are the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer?
painless/gross hematuria (without blood in urine, bladder cancer is not possible), physical exam is normal
How does diabetes cause urinary frequency?
due to high osmolarity of urine (osmotic diuresis)
What differentiates BPH from prostate cancer?
both:
- incidence increases with age (cancer prevalence higher in African American men), androgens (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) play a significant role
BPH:
- obstructive symptoms initially followed by irritative symptoms, DRE = diffuse enlargement, Dx = exclusion, Tx = alpha blockers/5 alpha reductase inhibitors/prostatectomy
Cancer:
- often asymptomatic, DRE = asymmetric enlargement, Dx = biopsy, Tx = prostatectomy (radiation) for local disease/anti-androgen therapy for metastatic disease
What is the role of 5 alpha reductase in prostate disease?
testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (much more potent - affects prostate growth to greater extent) via 5 alpha reductase => with age, testosterone decreases and 5 alpha reductase increases (produces more DHT)
What is the effect of 5 alpha reductase inhibitors in prostate disease?
used to decrease levels of DHT - cause decrease in prostate size (more effective in men with large volume prostate)
What is the best initial test for BPH?
clinical diagnosis (diagnosis of exclusion) - start with urinalysis and creatinine:
- urinalysis to r/o pyuria (chronic prostatitis)
- creatinine to exclude complications of BPH (post-renal insufficiency) => perform renal ultrasound if creatinine is increased
=> PSA will be increased (can’t distinguish BPH from prostate cancer)
What is the difference between cancer grading and staging?
grading = histological appearance of cells
staging = indicates degree of spread (metastasis)
How are grading and staging determined with prostate cancer?
grading - prostate biopsy (only used in presence of nodularity and asymmetric enlargement)
staging - MRI of abdomen and pelvis
=> PSA will determine prognosis
What is the mechanism of action of Luprone?
GnRH antagonist - results in chemical castration (reduces testosterone levels)
What is the best initial treatment for BPH?
Tx is based on symptoms - watchful waiting if not bothering patient (avoid irritants, voiding schedule)
- 1st line: alpha-1 adrenergic antagonists/alpha blockers (cause relaxation of bladder neck - tamsulosin/Flomax is most uroselective) => risk for hypotension (avoid in PT on nitrates)
- 5 alpha reductase inhibitors (Finasteride) - reduce the size of the prostate
- PDE-5 inhibitors (Viagra/Cialis) - relax bladder and prostatic smooth muscle => only for mild symptoms
- surgery - only if other Tx fail (risk erectile dysfunction and urinary insufficiency)
What are the harms of PSA screening?
- false positive rate of 70% for PSA > 4 ng/dl
- radical prostatectomy: 11% increased risk for urinary incontinence and 37% increased risk of ED
Which groups of men should never be screened for prostate cancer?
< 40 years of age
life expectancy < 10 years
What are the signs and symptoms of acute prostatitis?
pelvic/rectal pain, extremely tender prostate (don’t do rigorous rectal exam), prostate boggy (not firm), Hx of UTIs, high fever, irritative and obstructive symptoms, symmetrical enlargement
What are the signs and symptoms of cystitis/UTI?
frequency, urgency, dysuria, fever (no rectal pain, no flank pain, no discharge, no scrotal swelling)