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Prostate - ENLARGED
From birth to young adulthood, the prostate grows from about the size of a pea to about the size of a walnut. Most men experience a second period of prostate growth in their mid- to late 40s. At this time, cells in the central portion of the gland — where the prostate surrounds the urethra — begin to reproduce more rapidly. As tissues in the area enlarge, they often compress the urethra and partially block urine flow. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical term for this condition.
Prostate enlargement affects about half of men in their 60s and up to 90 percent of men in their 70s and 80s. The presence or absence of prostate gland enlargement is not related to the development of prostate cancer.
Treatment depends on your signs and symptoms and may include medications, surgery or nonsurgical therapies.
Causes
At birth, a boy's prostate gland is about the size of a pea. It grows slightly during childhood and then at puberty undergoes a rapid growth spurt. By the time a man reaches age 25, his prostate is fully developed and is about the size of a walnut.
The causes of noncancerous growth of tissue inside the prostate later in life are unclear. Researchers believe that with age, the prostate becomes more susceptible to the effects of male hormones, including testosterone.
Risk factors
The main risk factor for prostate enlargement is aging. Prostate enlargement rarely causes signs and symptoms in men younger than 40, but approximately half the men in their 60s experience some signs and symptoms. In addition to age, other risk factors include:
Heredity. A family history of prostate enlargement can increase the odds of developing problems from prostate enlargement.
National origin. Prostate enlargement is more common in American and European men than in Asian men.
Marital status. For unknown reasons, married men are more likely to experience prostate enlargement than are single men. There's no evidence that supports a link between sexual activity and prostate growth.
Complications
If your signs and symptoms are mild and don't bother you, your doctor may suggest watchful waiting as an appropriate response to an enlarged prostate. Your doctor will periodically evaluate your condition to see if it improves, stays the same or worsens.
The risk you take in following this approach is that your condition could worsen over time and other problems could develop, such as infection, bleeding and kidney damage. However, these complications are uncommon.
Prostate enlargement becomes a serious health threat only if it interferes with your ability to empty your bladder. A bladder that's continuously full can interfere with your sleep, cause recurrent bladder infection or result in kidney damage. If you're unable to pass urine at all, seek immediate medical attention.
Treatments for prostate enlargement don't reduce or increase the risk of prostate cancer. Even if you're being treated for prostate enlargement, you still need to continue regular prostate exams to screen for cancer. Surgical treatment for prostate enlargement can identify cancer in its early stages.
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