Gil-Vernet Sedo José María

prostata_2The prostate is a sexual accessory gland of the male reproductive system that, in an adult male, is similar in size and shape to a chestnut, weighing between approximately 12 and 20 grams.It is situated below the bladder at the beginning of the urethra, behind the pubic bone and in front of the anal canal.Its structure is similar to a sponge, formed by thousands of small cavities where prostatic secretions are formed and then emptied into the prostatic urethra via dozens of small channels.

prostata_3In 1953 the Spanish urologist Salvador Gil Vernetdemonstrated that the prostate gland is not homogeneous and is actually composed of three well differentiated zones: the cranial zone and the intermediate zone, where benign growth occurs, and the caudal zone, the primary site of malignant growth.

Its development and growth, which begins in puberty, is controlled by male sexual hormones (testosterone).All mammals have a prostate, but the pathologic processes of benign hyperplasia and cancer develop only in humans and canines.

The most common diseases are benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer and acute or chronic prostatitis.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (benign prostate enlargement). Beginning at puberty, the prostate experiences a progressive increase in size due to the action of the sexual hormones until it reaches 15-20 grams.From the age of 35, benign growth begins in the zone of the prostate closest to the urethra or the emptying point of the bladder; this process is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.Prostate enlargement can obstruct normal urine flow, narrowing the passage of urine through the neck of the bladder and/or the prostatic urethra.In addition, another factor also contributes to obstruction: an increase in the tension of the muscle fibers that surround the neck of the bladder and the first section of the prostatic urethra like a ring. BPH affects approximately 50% of males between 51 and 60 years of age, increasing to 90% in males 80 years of age, but only results in significant symptoms in 30% of them.

Prostata-english

Obesity, excessive consumption of saturated fats and animal proteins, lack of physical exercise and excessive consumption of alcohol are the greatest relative risk factors for disease development.Accordingly, an increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables (a heart-healthy diet), maintenance of an appropriate weight, physical exercise, cessation of smoking, and consumption of only a moderate amount of alcohol are all recommended.

Usually, the patient experiences changes in their urination habits over the years, which are due to benign enlargement of the prostate and changes that the bladder undergoes during aging. On occasion, these processes severely alter urination (obstruction/irritation) and the patient’s quality of life. The most common symptoms are:

• Difficulty starting or needing to use force to urinate
• Feeling that the bladder has not completely emptied after urination
• Difficulty resisting the urge to urinate
• Weak or interrupted urine stream, and prolonged urination
• The need to urinate again shortly after the last urination
• Getting up several times during the night with the urge to urinate

In the initial stages of disease, the bladder is able to compensate for the difficulty of the passage of urine by increasing the force of contraction, but with time the walls become thicker, and a time may come in which it will not be able to expel the urine.