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Prostatic cyst
Is a prostate cyst serious?
Prostate cysts are not severe; they are a type of benign lesion primarily formed due to the blockage of prostate ducts. Most patients with prostate cysts have small cysts and do not experience any discomfort, and thus do not require treatment. Regular follow-up appointments to monitor changes in the size of the cyst are sufficient. It is advisable to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and stimulating foods, and abstain from smoking and drinking, as these measures generally prevent the cyst from enlarging further. Of course, some patients may have larger cysts that could press on the urethra, leading to symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, incomplete urination, and even difficulty in urination or urinary retention. In these cases, the cysts can be surgically removed proactively.
Can prostate cysts turn into cancer?
Prostate cysts and prostate cancer are not causally related. The causes, clinical manifestations, and prognoses of these two diseases are completely different. Prostate cysts are benign and generally do not significantly affect the patient; most patients do not have any discomfort, so prostate cysts will not turn into prostate cancer. If a prostate cyst is diagnosed, regular follow-up ultrasound examinations to monitor the specific size and changes of the cyst are sufficient; there is no need to worry about the cyst transforming into cancer. If the cyst is large and presses against the urethra, causing urinary discomfort, local heat application or warm water sitz baths can be considered to alleviate the symptoms.
How is a prostate cyst treated?
The treatment method for prostate cysts depends on the size of the cyst and the clinical symptoms of the patient. If the volume of the prostate cyst is relatively small and does not cause compression to the surrounding tissues, the patient's clinical symptoms will not be pronounced, and in such cases, no special treatment is required - regular follow-up examinations of the prostate cysts will suffice. For some patients with prostate cysts where the cyst is relatively large and likely to compress the surrounding tissues, symptoms such as perineal pain and discomfort may occur. In such cases, the cyst can be removed surgically. Generally, after surgery, it is advisable to drink plenty of water and urinate frequently to reduce the likelihood of prostate inflammation. Additionally, it is important to have regular prostate check-ups post-surgery.
Can a prostate cyst cause lower abdominal pain?
Simple prostate cysts generally have no symptoms. Larger prostate cysts may compress the urethra, causing difficulty in urination, and pressure on the rectum may cause difficulty in defecation. If prostate cysts are accompanied by prostatitis, this can cause lower abdominal pain. Pain may not only be in the lower abdomen, but can also occur in the lumbosacral area, perineum, groin area, and testicles, presenting symptoms of discomfort. There may also be abnormalities in urination, such as increased frequency of urination, urgency, incomplete urination, increased nocturia, split stream, difficulty urinating, and waiting for urine flow, among other symptoms. Therefore, if lower abdominal pain occurs with a prostate cyst, it is worth considering its association with prostatitis, and treatment can be administered accordingly based on methods used for prostatitis.
Is there a problem with a prostatic cyst?
Smaller prostate cysts generally do not affect the body or urine excretion, and treatment may not be necessary in such cases. However, if a prostate cyst becomes infected, develops stones, or is large enough to compress the urethra or bladder neck, it can obstruct urine flow, commonly causing difficulty urinating or even urinary retention. Compression of the rectum can also lead to difficulties in both urination and defecation. Therefore, small prostate cysts may not require intervention, but larger ones with compressive symptoms need surgical treatment. In cases of infection, symptomatic treatment is sufficient. The diagnosis of prostate cysts is usually confirmed through ultrasound examination of the urinary system. For larger cysts, typical surgical options include ultrasound-guided puncture or transurethral resection of the prostate cyst.
How to treat prostatic cysts?
Prostate cysts are benign lesions of the prostate, and most patients do not experience any symptoms. They are generally discovered during ultrasound examinations at medical check-ups. For these asymptomatic prostate cysts, no special treatment is necessary; monitoring the cyst size through ultrasound every six months to a year is sufficient. However, some patients may experience recurrent prostatitis due to the presence of the cysts, and even develop prostate stones. If symptoms are not severe, oral traditional Chinese medicines can be taken, or local heat application, warm water sitz baths can be used to alleviate urinary discomfort. If the cyst is large enough to compress the urethra, causing urinary retention, early surgical intervention to remove the cyst is recommended.
Prostate cysts should be seen in the urology department.
Prostate cysts are a benign lesion of the prostate, and if one has a prostate cyst, it is necessary to seek treatment in the urology department of a hospital. In the case of prostate cysts, if no discomfort symptoms are caused, there generally is no need for special treatment. However, some patients might experience symptoms similar to those of prostatitis due to the presence of cysts, such as frequent urination, urgent urination, and a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. For such cases, local hot compresses can be applied, or oral medications like Prostakang tablets and Tamsulosin Hydrochloride Controlled Release Tablets may be used to improve symptoms of urinary discomfort. If the cyst is large and compresses the urethra, even causing urinary retention, it is recommended to opt for surgery as soon as possible. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a clinical doctor, according to the specific situation.)
Does prostate cyst affect sexual life?
Prostate cysts do not affect sexual life. If the prostate cyst is relatively small, it has no impact on the body and may not require treatment, as it shows no symptoms. However, if the cyst is large, it may compress the urethra, resulting in difficulty urinating, frequent urination, urgency, hesitancy, incomplete bladder emptying, and even acute urinary retention. Sometimes, a large prostate cyst may also compress the rectum, causing difficulty in defecation. If the cyst is large and causes a series of compressive symptoms, surgical treatment may be considered. The surgery generally involves a transurethral resection of the prostate cyst, which is a minimally invasive surgery and also has no impact on the body.
Difference between prostate cyst and hyperplasia
The distinction between prostate cysts and hyperplasia lies in the fact that the former is a benign tumor and pathological, while the latter is physiological.With increasing age, particularly in elderly individuals, hyperplasia can occur. Therefore, it is essential first to determine the cause before treatment, such as undergoing an ultrasound, and in severe cases, a biopsy may be required.If the cyst is benign and either asymptomatic or small, periodic observation might be sufficient. However, for hyperplasia, conservative treatment such as oral medications is recommended initially. If the hyperplasia severely affects urination, surgical intervention may be necessary.
What effects do prostate cysts have?
Prostate cysts are caused by either congenital or acquired factors leading to cystic changes in the prostate. If a prostate cyst becomes infected, it can press on the urethra, causing difficulty in urination. The most common symptoms include frequent urination, urgent urination, straining during urination, and hesitancy. In severe cases, urinary retention may occur, generally seen in larger prostate cysts or cysts that grow towards the neck of the bladder. Generally, smaller prostate cysts do not cause a series of symptoms, and those causing symptoms are usually larger than 3 centimeters. Upon the occurrence of a prostate cyst, a urinary system ultrasound examination should be performed. Cysts without symptoms do not require treatment, while symptomatic cysts can be managed through cyst aspiration or transurethral resection surgery.