Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is a painless
inflammation
Inflammation (from ) is part of the biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. The five cardinal signs are heat, pain, redness, swelling, and loss of function (Latin ''calor'', '' ...
of the
prostate
The prostate is an male accessory gland, accessory gland of the male reproductive system and a muscle-driven mechanical switch between urination and ejaculation. It is found in all male mammals. It differs between species anatomically, chemica ...
gland where there is no evidence of infection.
It should be distinguished from the other categories of
prostatitis characterised by either pelvic pain or evidence of infection, such as
chronic bacterial prostatitis,
acute bacterial prostatitis and
chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).
It is a common finding in men with
benign prostatic hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called prostate enlargement, is a noncancerous increase in size of the prostate gland. Symptoms may include frequent urination, trouble starting to urinate, weak stream, urinary retention, inability t ...
.
Signs and symptoms
These patients have no history of genitourinary pain complaints, but
leukocytosis is noted, usually during evaluation for other conditions.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is through tests of semen, expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) or prostate tissue that reveal inflammation in the absence of symptoms.
Treatment
No treatment required. It is standard practice for men with infertility and category IV prostatitis to be given a trial of antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatories, although evidence of efficacy are weak.
Since signs of asymptomatic prostatic inflammation may sometimes be associated with
prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the neoplasm, uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system below the bladder. Abnormal growth of the prostate tissue is usually detected through Screening (medicine), screening tests, ...
, this can be addressed by tests that assess the ratio of free-to-total PSA. The results of these tests were significantly different in prostate cancer and category IV prostatitis in one study.
Additional images
Image:Gray1160.png, Prostate, urethra, and seminal vesicles.
Image:Gray539.png, The arteries of the pelvis.
Image:Gray1136.png, Male pelvic organs seen from right side.
References
External links
{{Male diseases of the pelvis and genitals
Inflammatory prostate disorders