The Prostate Flashcards
Which zone in the prostate is responsible for 70-80% of prostate cancers?
Peripheral zone
NB: Mostly glandular in nature, hence propensity to spawn cancer
Which zone surrounds the urethra?
Transitional zone
What is the function of the prostate?
It is an accessory sex gland which adds nutrients and enzymes to seminal fluid:
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
- Prostaglandins
- Fructose
- Zinc
- Citrate
What are the three main pathologies of the prostate?
- Prostatitis
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Prostate Cancer
What is the pathophysiology of prostatitis?
Acute inflammation usually resulting from an infection, typically from a gram negative bacteria such as E.Coli
Can be chronic, and chronic prostatic inflammation can occur in the absence of bacteria (chronic abacterial prostatitis)
Can also be granulomatous (i.e. milliary TB)
What is the pathophysiology of BPH?
Proliferation of both stromal and epithelial (glandular) elements due to imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis. Usually associated with advancing age.
Occurs primarily in the central gland which wraps around urethra and ducts, causing urinary retention