The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system, located just below the bladder and wrapping around the urethra. It is about 3-4 cm long and 3-5 cm wide, weighing, on average, about 20 grams.
About 30% of the prostate is muscular tissue whilst the remainder is glandular. tissue. Attached to the prostate are the seminal vesicles, which produce material that mixes with prostatic fluid to form semen. Tubes from the testicles carry sperm to the prostate, which mixes with the seminal fluid and is ejaculated during orgasm.
As a man ages, the prostate may increase in size and this condition is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). More than 40% of men have an enlarged prostate by the age of 70 and this enlargement causes it to press against the urethra, interfering with the flow of urine. However, it does not necessarily indicate the growth of cancer cells and being diagnosed with BPH does not increase the risk of prostate cancer, but it does mean that it could be a possibility.
The three common diseases of the prostate are BPH, prostatitis and prostate cancer, with each condition affecting the gland itself differently. The prostate has various concentric zones, known as the anterior fibromuscular stroma, peripheral zone, central zone and transition zone. A doctor is able to examine the peripheral zone by inserting a finger in the rectum. Benign prostatic hyperplasia develops in the transition zone and grows in size. The anterior fibromuscular stroma is the anchoring point of the urethra sphincter. It does not contain any glands and hence cancer or enlargement does not usually develop there. However, should you develop any changes in urine flow, it is essential to contact a urologist to ensure early preventive care.
The male sex hormone, testosterone, plays an important part in the normal growth and function of the prostate gland. As long as testosterone is produced in the testicles, any hormone-dependent prostate cancer is very likely to grow and spread throughout the body.
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