Currently, prostate diseases are not uncommon. According to statistics, a prostate cyst is diagnosed in every fifth representative of the stronger sex who went to the doctor. The neoplasm is benign and does not pose a serious threat to health. However, in men, a prostate cyst significantly affects the quality of life. A doctor should be consulted when the first alarming signs occur. The specialist will conduct diagnostic measures and prescribe the most effective treatment regimen, which may include both conservative and surgical methods.
Types and mechanism of development
Under the influence of any adverse factors, a cavity begins to form in the thickness of the prostate tissue. Gradually, it becomes filled with liquid. As a rule, the diameter of the prostate cyst is from 1 to 4 cm. In isolated cases, huge neoplasms can be recorded that can contain up to 1 liter of fluid.
The cyst itself is not painful. But as it grows, it begins to exert pressure on nearby tissues, which is accompanied by the appearance of uncomfortable sensations. In addition, the process of developing other pathologies is launched. Most often, in men with a prostate cyst, the process of urination is difficult and an erection is weakened. During intercourse, patients suffer from severe discomfort.
A cyst can be both congenital and acquired in nature. The former account for 90% of cases. In other situations, the neoplasm is acquired in the process of life.
Cysts can also be single or multiple. In addition, they are classified into false and true. In the first case, we are talking about blockage of the duct of the prostate gland. It gradually expands, as a result of which a cyst forms. True neoplasm arises against the background of the course of any pathological process.
The prostate cyst is always filled with fluid. If the pathological contents are represented by pus, the neoplasm is inflammatory in nature.
Causes
Like prostate adenoma , a gland cyst is an extremely common pathology. And if the mechanism of its development is the same in all cases (violation of the outflow of secretion and its accumulation), then there are many provoking factors.
The main causes of prostate cysts include the following diseases and conditions:
- Malignant neoplasms.
- Frequent and erratic sexual intercourse, or, conversely, lack of regularity in sex life.
- Prostatitis.
- Staying long under stress.
- Lifting heavy objects.
- Regular and high-intensity physical activity.
- Urolithiasis disease.
- Vibration. According to statistics, the most common prostate cyst in men is a consequence of prolonged transport management. Many doctors agree that this ailment is literally professional for drivers.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia.
- A lifestyle that does not imply physical activity.
- Prostate fibrosis .
- Various types of genital injuries.
- Varicose veins located in the pelvis.
In addition, in some cases, a cyst is formed after surgery in the prostate.
Symptoms
If the size of the neoplasm is extremely small, it does not cause a man any concern. As a rule, it is detected randomly during an ultrasound scan, prescribed for another reason.
The severity of symptoms of prostate cysts in men directly depends on the size of the neoplasm and its location. In addition, the presence of concomitant diseases of the prostate gland plays an important role.
The first symptoms of a prostate cyst appear when it begins to increase in size and squeeze the urethra. In this case, the man has complaints about the following conditions:
- Violation of potency.
- Retrograde ejaculation.
- The urine stream during urination becomes weaker. In order to accelerate its withdrawal, you have to strain.
- Discomfort during urination.
- Pain during sexual intercourse, aggravated by ejaculation.
- Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- Discomfort in the perineum.
- Body temperature is elevated to subfebrile values.
- Burning in the urethra.
- Frequent urination.
- Pain in the back. Often they occur in the pelvic organs.
Regardless of the severity of symptoms, treatment of prostate cysts in men should not be delayed. This is due to the fact that the presence of neoplasms can become triggering factors for the development of many diseases.
Diagnostics
The clinical manifestations of cysts are not specific. Similar symptoms are also disturbing with adenoma, inflammation and other pathologies of the gland. In this regard, the treatment of prostate cysts in men is prescribed only on the basis of the results of a comprehensive examination.
If the first alarming signs occur, you need to contact a urologist. In the process of admission, the doctor will conduct an initial diagnosis, which consists in interviewing and examining the patient. The specialist needs to provide information on what symptoms bother, how long they appeared and what degree of severity they have.
After this, the urologist will conduct a digital rectal examination. If neoplasms, seals, nodules, etc. are detected during palpation, a preliminary diagnosis will be considered confirmed. Such a study is informative only if the cyst is located on the surface of the prostate that faces the rectum. Otherwise, it may not be detected.
Based on the results of the initial diagnosis, the doctor draws up a referral for a comprehensive study, including:
- Uroflowmetry. In the process of its conduct, the nature and speed of urination is determined. The doctor evaluates the indicator of the pressure of the jet, he can also judge the difficulties that accompany the outflow of urine.
- Transrectal or transabdominal ultrasound. This is currently the most informative diagnostic method. The bladder should be full during the study period. In the presence of a cyst, the doctor fixes its location, size, structure and shape. TRUS is not carried out in the presence of hemorrhoidal nodes, bowel obstruction and anal fissures.
- MRI scan Highly informative diagnostic methods. As a rule, they are prescribed when ambiguous ultrasound results are obtained, if tumors and circulatory disorders are suspected.
- Biopsy. Puncture is indicated in the case when a tumor was detected during the diagnosis and it is necessary to establish its nature. A biopsy is also performed to examine the contents of the cyst to determine the nature of the tumor.
- Urethrocystography. This is a method of X-ray examination, which involves obtaining a series of images after the introduction of a contrast medium, for example, barium suspension, into the body.
In addition, the patient must be tested for blood, semen, urine and secretions secreted by the prostate gland. These analyzes are necessary for differential diagnosis.
Based on the results of the studies, the doctor draws up the most effective treatment regimen for prostate cysts. It can be carried out both by conservative and operational methods.
Drug therapy
It is important to understand that in many cases a neoplasm is the result of a disease. In this regard, first of all, it is necessary to get rid of the root cause. If there is an inflammatory process, it must be stopped. If the cause is the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms, the infection must be destroyed. In other words, drugs for the treatment of prostate cysts are prescribed taking into account the individual health characteristics of each patient. The dosage regimen is also determined by the doctor.
The general regimen includes taking the following drugs:
- With analgesic effect. As a rule, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
- Antibiotics. Their reception is indicated in the case when the prostate cyst is infectious. The drug is prescribed taking into account the type of pathogen, the vital activity of which caused the appearance of the neoplasm.
- Alpha blockers. Against the background of their intake, there is an expansion of blood vessels, a decrease in blood pressure. In addition, glucose levels in fluid connective tissue are reduced. With a cyst, alpha-blockers are prescribed to strengthen the muscles of the prostate and bladder. Their administration is also indicated in the presence of a neoplasm of an infectious or inflammatory nature.
If the size of the cyst is not more than 5 mm, treatment is not required. A man needs to regularly donate blood for analysis and undergo TRUS. If it grows, the patient will be prescribed appropriate treatment.
Surgical intervention
In the presence of a large neoplasm, the doctor decides on the advisability of the operation. Surgical treatment of the prostate cyst is also necessary if it exerts pronounced pressure on nearby tissues. If conservative methods are ineffective, surgery is also indicated. The choice of technique directly depends on the location of the cyst, its size. In addition, the doctor assesses the degree of its potential harm.
Currently, removal of the prostate cyst is most often carried out by a minimally invasive method - puncture. Such an intervention allows you to maximize the function of the prostate gland.
Puncture is carried out under the control of ultrasound using a long thin needle. The purpose of the operation is to achieve the decline of the neoplasm walls with their subsequent fusion and scarring. To do this, the doctor introduces a special solution into the cyst with a needle - sclerosant.
If the neoplasm provokes frequent episodes of relapse of a chronic disease, it grows or fills with purulent contents, its removal is indicated by a transurethral or transrectal method.
In some clinics, laser enucleation of the cyst and transurethral resection are performed. These types of surgical intervention are not performed in the presence of an abscess and prostate cancer.
Unconventional methods
It is important to understand that the treatment of prostate cysts with folk remedies does not eliminate the need to seek qualified medical help. This is due to the fact that using non-traditional methods it is impossible to get rid of the root cause of the disease. In addition, some natural remedies weaken the effectiveness of drugs or completely neutralize their effect. The use of traditional medicine is permissible, but only after obtaining the permission of the attending physician.
The most effective recipes:
- Maximum grind 200 g of burdock leaves. In the process, juice should stand out from it. Pour the resulting product into 100 ml of vodka. Let it brew for a day. Then the tool must be consumed daily for 1 tbsp. l before every meal.
- Peel 15 walnuts from shells. The latter must be transferred to a container. Then the shell needs to pour 0.5 liters of vodka. Let it brew for 7 days. Then the resulting product must be consumed daily for 1 tbsp. l on empty stomach.
- Combine the roots of the field gland, birch leaves and flax seeds. Take 3 tbsp. l the resulting collection and pour them 1 liter of boiling water. Let it brew for 2 hours. The resulting product must be taken three times a day, 100 ml.
- Grind the bark of young larch. Take 5 tbsp. l and pour 1 liter of boiling water. Close the container tightly. Allow the product to infuse for 12 hours. Then it must be taken 4 to 5 times a day, 200 ml each. Every 2 weeks you need to take a break for 7 days.
The use of these recipes at the same time as taking medicines allows you to achieve positive dynamics in a shorter time.
Possible consequences
In most cases, prostate cysts are easily amenable to conservative methods of therapy. Even in advanced cases, it can disappear after sclerosis. But ignoring the problem, most patients develop serious consequences.
The prostate cyst is fraught with the following complications:
- Acute urine delay. The cavity of the neoplasm overlaps the lumen of the urinary canal.
- Deformation of the vessels of the prostate. They begin to squeeze, as a result of which blood circulation is disturbed. Against the background of the course of these pathological conditions, coronary artery disease of the prostate gland develops, and atrophy later on.
- Violation of the integrity of the cyst. If the cavity of the neoplasm opens independently, its contents will fall on nearby tissues. A logical result is the development of the inflammatory process.
- Secondary infection It threatens the occurrence of abscesses and suppuration.
- Prostatitis. In the presence of a cyst, the risk of developing pathology increases significantly.
- Frequent episodes of pain in the groin and back.
- The formation of calculi in the prostate.
- Infertility.
It is extremely rare, but it also happens that the neoplasm degenerates into a malignant tumor.
Forecast and Prevention
The outcome of the disease directly depends on the timeliness of going to the doctor. In most cases, the cyst succumbs to conservative treatment methods. With their ineffectiveness, surgical intervention is indicated. But even in this case, the forecast is favorable.
When ignoring the problem, various complications gradually develop, which are not only difficult to treat, but also pose a health hazard.
To prevent the formation of a cyst, the following rules must be observed:
- Timely treat detected diseases, especially infectious ones.
- Try to avoid lifting very heavy objects. Most of the damage is done under stress with a full bladder.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Empty the bladder in a timely manner. Ignoring urges for a long time is unacceptable.
- Do not abuse alcohol-containing drinks.
- Follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle.
In addition, every man aged 35 years and older should undergo a comprehensive examination annually. This allows you to identify any pathological process at an early stage of its development.
Finally
The prostate cyst is a neoplasm of a benign nature. In the early stages, it does not cause discomfort in men. As it grows, the first clinical manifestations occur. At this stage, you need to contact a urologist as soon as possible. The specialist will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis and, based on its results, make the most effective treatment regimen. It may include both conservative and operational methods. Ignoring the problem leads to the development of all kinds of complications: prostatitis, infertility, urinary retention, etc.