7. Gross structure
2/3rd is glandular.
1/3rd is fibromuscular.
Lies in the prostatic sheath formed by visceral
layer of pelvic fascia which fixes the prostate
via puboprostatic ligament anteriorly and
rectovesical septum posteriorly.
16. Functions
Prostate releases prostatic fluid with the following
functions:
Forms around 20% volume of semen.
Important for proper functioning of sperm cells therefore
male fertility.
Prostate Specific antigen (PSA) enzyme makes the
semen thinner.
Spermine insures sperm cell motility.
The muscles of the prostate ensure forceful expulsion of
semen into the urethra and outwards during ejaculation.
Closing of the urethra up to the bladder during ejaculation.
Conversion of testosterone is to a biologically active form,
DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
17. Case 1
A 60-year-old man presents to his primary care
physician with a 3-month history of increasing
urinary frequency and nocturia 3 times every
night. He has limited his fluid consumption and
caffeine intake in the evening without much
benefit. There is no personal or family history
of prostate cancer. Examination demonstrates
no suprapubic mass or tenderness. A rectal
examination demonstrates normal rectal tone
and a moderately enlarged prostate without
nodules or tenderness.
20. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Aka nodular
hyperplasia of
prostate.
Enlargement of
the prostate.
Results in partial
or complete
obstruction of the
urethra.
Originates in the
transitional zone.
23. BPH epidimeology
Globally, BPH affects
about 210 million males
(6% of the population).
Histological evidence of
BPH can be seen as
follows:
Age 40 : 20%
Age 60 : 70%
Age 80 : 90%
Approximately around
30% of males over 50
show symptoms
24. BPH Pathophysiology
BPH involves hyperplasia of prostatic stromal and
epithelial cells.
BPH involves hyperplasia (an increase in the
number of cells) rather than hypertrophy (a growth
in the size of individual cells).
Formation of large, fairly discrete nodules in the
transition zone of the prostate.
The nodules impinge on the urethra and cause
obstruction to passage of urine.
Resistance to urine flow requires the bladder to
work harder and lead to progressive hypertrophy,
instability, or weakness (atony) of the bladder
muscle
25. BPH Pathogenesis
Stems from action of
DHT on Androgen
receptors.
Increased growth
factor production and
growth factor receptor
activation.
26. Obstructive symptoms of BPH
Decrease in force & caliber of
the stream due to urethral
compression.
Hesitancy occurs because
the detrusor takes a longer
time to generate the initial
increased pressure to
overcome the urethral
resistance.
Intermittency occurs because
the detrusor is unable to
sustain the increased
pressure until the end of
voiding.
Terminal dribbling of urine &
incomplete sense of bladder
27. Irritative symptoms of BPH
Frequency
Incomplete emptying
during each void results in
shorter intervals
between voids.
The presence of enlarged
prostate provokes the
bladder to trigger a voiding
response more frequently
than in normal individuals,
especially if the prostate is
growing intravesically.
Nocturia as normal
cortical inhibitors are
lessened and the normal
urethral and sphincteric
tone is reduced during
29. Digital Rectal Examination
Patient lies on side
with legs pressed
against abdomen.
A lubricated, gloved
finger of one hand is
inserted gently into the
rectum.
A full bladder allows
the prostate to be
palpable:
BPH: enlarged, smooth
Tumor: stony hard,
30. Examination - Other
A distended bladder may
be noted on palpation or
percussion
Abdominal exam may
reveal palpable kidney or
flank pain if there is
hydronephrosis or
pyelonephritis.
If disease is advanced
and has resulted in
renal failure signs of
renal failure may also
be seen.
31. BPH Labs - Imaging
Ultrasonography
useful for
measuring
bladder &
prostate volume
as well as
residual urine.
Estimation of
prostatic size as
most urologists
prefer to perform
TURP for glands
under
32. BPH Labs – Urine tests
Uroflowmetry: at a
volume of 125-150ml,
normal individuals have
average flow rates of
12ml/sec & peak flow
close to 20ml/sec
Mild 11-15 ml/sec
Moderate between 7
and 10 ml/sec
Severe < 7ml/sec
33. BPH Labs – Urine tests
Urinalysis and microscopy
infection
presence of hematuria.
Residual urine estimated by
U/S or catheterizations.
Volumes >150 ml are
considered significant since
they constitute
approximately one-third of
normal bladder volume.
Serum urea & creatinine: to
assess kidney function
34. Treatment of BPH
Because BPH is not invariably progressive, the
timing of intervention for each patient is variable.
Absolute indications for treatment include severe
obstructive symptoms & renal insufficiency.
Relative indications include moderate symptoms
of prostatism, recurrent UTI and hematuria.
Until recently, surgery was the mainstay of
therapy for BPH. In the last decade or so , there
has been a tremendous resurgence of interest in
non surgical therapies.
35. BPH Treatment - Medicine
Alpha – 1 adrenergic antagonists
Ideally suited for treatment of obstruction because
they can reduce resistance along bladder outlet
without impairing detrusor contractility. E.g.
Tamsulosin, Prazosin. Indication is that the prostate
size should be less than 40gm and it may cause
retrograde ejaculation
5 alpha – reductase inhibitor
Finestride is an anti androgen that inhibits 5 alpha –
reductase which converts testosterone to
dihydrotestosterone. Indication is that the prostate
size should be less than 40gm
36. BPH Treatment - Surgery
Transurethrally
(TURP)
Retropubically
(RPP)
Through the bladder
(transvesical; TVP)
From the perineum
37. BPH Treatment - Surgery
Transurethral
Resection of
Prostate (TURP)
The obstructing
portion of the
prostate is removed
via urethra.
38. BPH Treatment - Surgery
Retropubical Resection of Prostate (RPP)
Recti sheet are split and bladder exposed.
Anterior capsule of prostate exposed.
Obstructing portion of prostate removed.
39. BPH Treatment - Surgery
Transvesical Resection of Prostate (TVP)
The bladder is opened, and the prostate
enucleated by putting a finger into the urethra.
Perineal Resection of Prostate
This has now been abandoned for the treatment
of BPH.
40. BPH Treatment – Minimally
invasive
Transurethral needle
ablation
High frequency radio
waves to cause
thermal injury to the
prostate
High-intensity
focused Ultrasound
41. BPH Treatment – Minimally
invasive
Prostate stents
In recent years,
metallic spirals &
stents have been
used as permanent
indwelling prostheses.
These stents may be
placed endoscopically
& under radiologic
guidance.
42. Case 2
A 60-year-old black male presents to his primary
care physician with complaints of difficulty in
passing urine. He describes a weak stream and a
sense of incomplete voiding. He describes
nocturia (5 episodes per night) and has been
taking an alpha-blocker for this with minimal
improvement. He says he can last about 60 to 90
minutes without urinating. He denies any
suprapubic tenderness, dysuria, or hematuria. He
further denies any back pain or gastrointestinal
complaints. Rectal exam reveals his prostate to
be approximately 60 g, asymmetrical with a large
2-cm nodule at the right base. PSA was 50ng/mL
44. Prostatic cancer- Content
Introduction
Epidemiology
Etiology and
Mutations
Grading, Staging and
progression
Signs and symptoms
Labs – Serum, biopsy
and Imaging
Treatment –
Prostectomy and
Slide 45
Slide 46
Slides 47-48
Slides 49-52
Slides 53-54
Slides 55-57
Slides 58-61
45. PCA - Introduction
Prostate cancer is the 2nd most common cause of
cancer deaths in USA.
Most prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas
arising from prostatic acinar cells.
Prostate normally atrophies between the 5th & 7th
decades of life with some atypical and hyperplastic
changes.
Among dysplastic changes, prostatic intraepithelial
neoplasia (PIN) considered premalignant lesion
found in 30% of patients with prostate cancers.
70% of prostate cancers arise in the peripheral
zone of the prostate; 15-20% arise in the central
zone; 10-15% arise in the transition zone.
Most prostate cancers are multicentric.
46. PCA - Epidemiology
Prostate cancer is
the second most
frequently
diagnosed cancer.
The sixth leading
cause of cancer
death. in males
worldwide
47. Etiology
Genetic predispositon
Age
Race
Family history
Hormone levels - androgens
Environmental factors
Diet – increased ingestion of fats, soy products
48. PCA – Genetic mutations
X- Linked Androgen Receptor gene
Polymorphic sequence of CAG
Shorter the chain, more sensitivity to androgens, greater risk of cancer
Project Methodology
ETS/TMPRSS2
ETS family of transcription factor is placed under TMPRSS2 promoter due to a
mutation
Overexpression of ETS leads to production of invasive epithelial cells
MYC oncogene – amplification at 8q24
GSTP1 gene – epigenetic hypermethylation
TP53 gene – loss by deletion
BRCA2 gene – loss in tumor suppression
HOXb13 – controls prostatic development
50. PCA - Grading
Gleason grading
system is the most
widely used. It’s
based on glandular
differentiation
2-4 - well
differentiated
5-7 - moderately
differentiated
8-10 poorly
differentiated
53. PCA progression
Cancers arising in
close proximity are
prone to spread early
to the urethra,
periprostatic tissues,
bladder and seminal
vesicles
Seminal vesicle
invasion is associated
with high likelihood of
distant metastases
Rectal invasion is rare
due to the tough
Denonvilliers’ fascia in
Osseous metastasis
is most common form
of hematogenous
metastasis
Common sites are
lumbar spines,
proximal femur,
thoracic spines, ribs,
sternum and skull
Local Metastases Distal Metastases
54. PCA - Symptoms
Most prostate cancers
are discovered because
of elevated PSA or with
incidental finding on
rectal examination.
Prostate cancers rarely
cause symptoms but
may present with
bladder outlet
obstruction, acute
urinary retention,
hematuria or
incontinence
55. PCA - Signs
Digital Rectal
Examination
Irregular firm or hard
prostatic nodule
during rectal
examination.
Median sulcus is
absent
56. PCA Labs - Serum
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
Glycoprotein secreted in the cytoplasm of the
prostatic cells.
normal value in young adult 0-4 ng/dL.
PSA elevation is proportional to the size of the
transitional zone. 1g of prostate cancer will
raise PSA by 0.3 ng/dL.
PSA production by the malignant cell depends
on the degree of differentiation, well
differientiated gland will secrete more PSA.
Prostate cancer with poor differentiation have
normal PSA.
57. PCA Labs - Biopsy
Diagnosis of prostate
cancers is confirmed
by needle and core
biopsy.
Ultrasound guided
systematic sampling
of the prostate
provides the most
accurate information
for staging and
grading the cancer.
58. PCA Labs - Imaging
Trans-rectal Ultrasound
(TRUS)
Can identify 60% of
cancers even if non-
palpable.
More accurate than DRE
at detecting extra-capsular
extension.
Allow biopsy of seminal
vesicles which improve
staging accuracy.
Disadvantage of TRUS
include the inability to look
at the pelvic lymph nodes.
59. PCA - Treatment
The current therapy of
patients with low stage
disease (stage T1 and
T2) is radical
prostatectomy &
radiotherapy to the
prostate.
Treatment mortality is
under 1%.
For patients 75 years
of age, treatment is
“watchful waiting”
60. PCA – Treatment
Prostatectomy
Retropubic approach
allows simultaneous access
to the prostate and the pelvic
LN, but it is often associated
with a greater amount of
blood loss from the dorsal
vein complex.
Perineal approach
requires separate incision for
pelvic LN, associated with
minimal blood loss and it is
preferred for obese
individuals.
5 yrs disease free survival
for Stage T1 is 92% and for
stage T2 is 86%
61. PCA – Treatment Radiation
Therapy
All modern techniques use CT scans
for accurate localization of the
prostate.
Generally, prostate is subjected to
6800-7000 rads and the pelvic LNs
are subjected to 4500-5000 rads.
Total treatment duration is 6-7 weeks.
5 yrs disease free survival rate for
Stage T1 is 83% and for Stage T2 is
72%.
PSA level is useful for assessing the
response to RT
Rising PSA or PSA level persistently
more than 30 ng/dL indicate poor
response to RT.
62. PCA - Treatment
T3 and T4 disease:
Androgen ablation coupled with radiotherapy is
standard treatment for younger men with T3 and
T4 disease.
Metastatic disease
Androgen ablation will provide relief for
symptomatic patients. Systemic chemotherapy
with docetaxel should be considered in youger
fitter men.
63. Comparison between BPH and
PCA
No weight loss
Marked obstructive
symptoms
On DRE gland
consistency is firm
and median sulcus
palpable
Elevated PSA
PSA values between
4-10
Weight loss
No obstructive
symptoms
Hard consistency of
gland and median
sulcus not palpable
Elevated PSA and
ALP
PSA values greater
than 10
BPH PCA
64. Resources
SIU school of Medicine database
Wholifeprostate.com
Ucdavis.com
Academicamc.edu
Pubmed health
Prostate cancer by Nancy Dawson
Urologic Pathology: The Prostate by Myron
Tannenbaum
Stats by The Lancet Systemic analysis of Global
Burden of Disease 2163-2196
Images courtesy of Netter’s atlas, Gray’s Anatomy
for Students