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Agrandamiento de la próstata - Overview

Nombres alternativos

HPB; Hipertrofia (hiperplasia) prostática benigna; Próstata agrandada

Definición:

La próstata es una glándula reproductiva masculina que produce el líquido que transporta los espermatozoides durante la eyaculación. Dicha glándula rodea la uretra, el tubo a través del cual la orina sale del cuerpo.

Un agrandamiento de la próstata significa que la glándula se ha vuelto más grande y le sucede a casi todos los hombres cuando van envejeciendo. A medida que la glándula crece, puede oprimir la uretra y ocasionar problemas urinarios y vesicales.

Al agrandamiento de la próstata generalmente se le llama hipertrofia o hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB) o hipertrofia prostática benigna. No es un cáncer y no aumenta el riesgo de cáncer de próstata.


Glándula prostática inflamada

Causas:

No se conoce la causa real del agrandamiento de la próstata. Los factores ligados al envejecimiento y a los testículos mismos pueden jugar un papel en el crecimiento de la glándula. Los hombres a quienes se les extirpan los testículos a temprana edad (por ejemplo, como resultado de un cáncer testicular) no desarrollan HPB.

De modo similar, si los testículos se extirpan después de que el individuo desarrolla HPB, la próstata comienza a reducirse de tamaño.

Algunos hechos acerca del agrandamiento de la próstata son:

  • La probabilidad de desarrollar agrandamiento de próstata se incrementa con la edad.
  • La HPB es tan común que se ha dicho todos los hombres tendrán agrandamiento de próstata si viven lo suficiente.
  • Un pequeño grado de agrandamiento de la próstata está presente en muchos hombres mayores de 40 años y en más del 90% de los hombres mayores de 80 años.
  • No se han identificado factores de riesgo distintos al hecho de tener testículos que funcionan normalmente.
  • Reviewed last on: 8/10/2009
  • Reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Also reviewed by Scott Miller, MD, Urologist, private practice, Atlanta, Georgia.

Referencias

Bent S, Kane C, Shinohara K, et al. Saw palmetto for benign prostatic hyperplasia. NEJM. 2006;354:557-566.

Abrams P, Chapple C, Khoury S, Roehrborn C, de la Rosette J; International Scientific Committee. Evaluation and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in older men. J Urol. 2009;181:1779-1787.

Kirby R, Lepor H. Evaluation and nonsurgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Novick AC, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 87.

Lourenco T, Pickard R, Vale L, Grant A, Fraser C, MacLennan G, et al. Minimally invasive treatments for benign prostatic enlargement: systematic review of randomised clinical trials. BMJ. 2008;337:a1662.

Roehrborn CG, McConnell JD. Benign prostatic hyperplasia: etiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, and natural history. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Novick AC, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 86.

Rich KT, Safranek S. PPIN's clinical inquiries: medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Am Fam Physician. 2008;77:665-666.

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