PROSTATE 101
In 2016 the American Cancer Society estimated that 221,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 28,000 men will die from it. The good news is that for the past 15 years deaths from prostate cancer have decreased. In 2013, the American Cancer Society estimated deaths were 29,480. We at the Lincoln group feel that through outreach and education, we are helping to influence these outcomes as well.
What is the prostate? The word prostate comes from Greek meaning ‘one standing before.’ The prostate gland is part of the reproductive system. It’s main purpose is to produce fluid for semen which transports sperm during male orgasm. The semen is alkaline, so it helps sperm survive in the acidic environment of the vagina. The gland then functions as a valve to keep semen and urine flowing in the proper direction and also pumps semen in the urethra during orgasm.
The prostate gland sits under the bladder. The widest point is called the base and is nestled next to the bladder while the tip or apex is farthest away from the bladder. If the prostate was an arrow it would be pointing down.
The prostate is made up of three kinds of cells
1. Glandular- produces part of the prostatic fluid
2. Smooth muscles- these contract to push prostatic fluid into the urethra during ejaculation
3. Stromal- make up the support structure of the prostate.
The prostate is divided into three zones; Peripheral, Central and Transitional. Peripheral is the outer region accounting for 70% of the gland. It lies closets to the rectum. Most prostate cancer develops in this zone. This is why the DRE (digital rectum exam) is very useful screening tool. The Central accounts for 25% of the gland. The ejaculatory ducts pass through this region. Semen enters the urethra this way and prostate cancer and BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) are unlikely to develop in this zone. Transitional is the innermost region and accounts for 5% of the gland and surrounds the urethra. Enlargement in this zone constricts the urethra and causes urinary symptoms with BPH.
The prostate gland is a the size of a pea at birth. The prostate typically grows at adolescence (puberty) under the control of testosterone and DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Around the age of 20 it reaches the size of a walnut, chestnut or crab apple, roughly 1.5 inches in diameter and weighing about 1 ounce. For most men the gland starts to enlarge in middle age. This growth has no physiological purpose like before but may occur causing BPH. The glandular cells of the prostate secrets an enzyme, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). It is secreted during ejaculation into the prostatic duct that empties into the urethra.
PSA liquefies the semen after ejaculation, thus promoting the release of sperm. Normally only small amounts of PSA are present in the blood. An abnormality of the gland can disrupt the normal architecture and create an opening for PSA to pass into the bloodstream. Thus high levels of PSA can indicate prostate problems. PSA blood levels are expressed as nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml).
PSA testing was first approved by the FDA in 1986 as a way to determine whether prostate cancer had been treated successfully and to monitor for its recurrence.
What is the prostate? The word prostate comes from Greek meaning ‘one standing before.’ The prostate gland is part of the reproductive system. It’s main purpose is to produce fluid for semen which transports sperm during male orgasm. The semen is alkaline, so it helps sperm survive in the acidic environment of the vagina. The gland then functions as a valve to keep semen and urine flowing in the proper direction and also pumps semen in the urethra during orgasm.
The prostate gland sits under the bladder. The widest point is called the base and is nestled next to the bladder while the tip or apex is farthest away from the bladder. If the prostate was an arrow it would be pointing down.
The prostate is made up of three kinds of cells
1. Glandular- produces part of the prostatic fluid
2. Smooth muscles- these contract to push prostatic fluid into the urethra during ejaculation
3. Stromal- make up the support structure of the prostate.
The prostate is divided into three zones; Peripheral, Central and Transitional. Peripheral is the outer region accounting for 70% of the gland. It lies closets to the rectum. Most prostate cancer develops in this zone. This is why the DRE (digital rectum exam) is very useful screening tool. The Central accounts for 25% of the gland. The ejaculatory ducts pass through this region. Semen enters the urethra this way and prostate cancer and BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) are unlikely to develop in this zone. Transitional is the innermost region and accounts for 5% of the gland and surrounds the urethra. Enlargement in this zone constricts the urethra and causes urinary symptoms with BPH.
The prostate gland is a the size of a pea at birth. The prostate typically grows at adolescence (puberty) under the control of testosterone and DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Around the age of 20 it reaches the size of a walnut, chestnut or crab apple, roughly 1.5 inches in diameter and weighing about 1 ounce. For most men the gland starts to enlarge in middle age. This growth has no physiological purpose like before but may occur causing BPH. The glandular cells of the prostate secrets an enzyme, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). It is secreted during ejaculation into the prostatic duct that empties into the urethra.
PSA liquefies the semen after ejaculation, thus promoting the release of sperm. Normally only small amounts of PSA are present in the blood. An abnormality of the gland can disrupt the normal architecture and create an opening for PSA to pass into the bloodstream. Thus high levels of PSA can indicate prostate problems. PSA blood levels are expressed as nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml).
PSA testing was first approved by the FDA in 1986 as a way to determine whether prostate cancer had been treated successfully and to monitor for its recurrence.