Q: What is the function of the prostate?
A: The prostate, also known as the prostate gland, produces seminal fluid that helps transport sperm and is crucial for sperm motility.
Q: What are the symptoms associated with prostate diseases?
A: Different prostate diseases can cause various symptoms. Prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate, is often characterised by pain during urination or bowel movements, as well as constant pain in the perineal area. Malignant prostate diseases usually do not cause noticeable symptoms, underscoring the importance of regular check-ups.
Q: What happens when the prostate is enlarged?
A: In the case of benign prostate enlargement, regular examination by a urologist is recommended.
Q: How is a prostate examination conducted?
A: The prostate examination, conducted by a urologist, consists of three parts:
- Measurement of PSA levels through a blood sample
- Digital rectal examination, where the urologist palpates the prostate with their finger
- Ultrasound volumetry, which measures the volume of the prostate using ultrasound technology.
Q: How is a prostate biopsy performed?
A: If there are repeatedly elevated PSA levels or suspicious findings during a urological screening examination, further diagnostics are necessary. During a prostate biopsy, samples are taken from different areas of the prostate and sent to a pathologist for analysis.
The pathologist performs a histological examination to identify cancerous cells. The biopsy procedure is performed under local anesthesia and typically takes around 10-20 minutes.
Q: What does prostate cancer mean?
A: Prostate cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among men in Austria. It can manifest in different stages with varying levels of aggressiveness.
In cases of very low-grade carcinoma, observation without immediate treatment may be sufficient initially. In more advanced stages, treatment options such as surgery or radiation therapy may be appropriate. For highly aggressive or advanced disease, further diagnostics are required to determine the most suitable therapy.
Q: What happens during prostate surgery?
A: Prostate surgery may be necessary for benign enlargement or in case of a cancer diagnosis. Various techniques exist to reduce the size of the prostate in cases of benign prostatic enlargement. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and other approaches involve reducing the prostate size.
In cases of prostate cancer, complete or radical removal of the prostate, along with the seminal vesicles, may be necessary.
Minimally invasive techniques, such as “keyhole” or “robotic-assisted” surgery using the DaVinci surgical system, are commonly employed for these procedures.