Prostate Pathology

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Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a — produced by the prostate gland.

protein

An elevation in this protein can be indicative of some disease processes such as —

benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatic cancer, prostatitis, and prostatic infarcts

It has been claimed that the higher the PSA level, the more likely the patient will have —

prostate cancer

a normal — can also be found in the presence of cancer.

PSA level

An elevated PSA is — for prostate cancer

not specific

Transverse transrectal image of the normal prostate.

Prostate cancer, in the form of —, is the most common cancer in men

adenocarcinoma

the most common location for prostate cancer is within the

peripheral zone

the sonographic appearance of prostatic cancer can mimic —

normal anatomy, prostatitis, and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)

Transrectal image of a seminal vesicle (arrows).

Prostate cancer. This image of the prostate reveals a small hypoechoic mass (between arrows) in the peripheral zone, which was eventually diagnosed as prostate carcinoma.

clinical findings of prostate cancer

1. elevated PSA

2. enlarged prostate

3. blood in urine (hematuria) or semen (hematospermia)

4. back pain, pelvic pain, hip or thigh pain

5. impotence

6. decreased in the amount of ejaculated fluid

sonographic findings of prostate cancer

1. varying sonographic appearances

2. hypoechoic mass

3. may be hypervascular

The benign enlargement of the prostate gland is termed—

benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)

BPH is most often located within the

transitional zone

An enlarged prostate can obstruct the flow of

urine through the urethra

Patients with BPH may undergo — of the prostate to remove some of the hypertrophic prostatic tissue causing urinary complications.

transurethral resection

clinical findings of benign prostatic hypertrophy

1. nocturia

2. increased urinary frequency

3. sense of urinary urgency

4. constant feeling of having a full bladder

5. elevated PSA

sonographic findings of benign prostatic hypertrophy

1. BHP will show enlargement of the inner gland

2. can lead to hypoechoic areas within the gland

3. calcifiactions within the gland

4. diffusely heterogeneous gland

5. cystic changes within the gland

— is inflammation of the prostate

Prostatitis

clinical findings of prostatitis

1. hematospermia

2. painful ejaculation

3. perineal pain

4. dysuria

sonographic findings of prostatitis

1. enlarged, hypoechoic prostate

2. hypermia evident with color doppler

Although seminal vesicle cysts are rare, they are said to be either —

congenital or acquired

Seminal vesicle cysts may be asymptomatic, but they can also be associated with

Zinner syndrome.

Zinner syndrome consists of

unilateral renal agenesis, ipsilateral seminal vesicle cyst, and ejaculatory duct obstruction.

Patients with Zinner syndrome present with

perineal pain, recurrent prostatitis, painful ejaculation, and infertility

clinical findings of seminal vesicle cysts

1. asymptomatic

2. may be associated with zinner syndrome (perineal pain, recurrent prostatitis, painful ejaculation, and infertility)

sonographic findings of seminal vesicle cysts

1. anechoic or complex cystic structures in the area of the seminal vesicles