Difference between prostate cyst and hyperplasia

Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
Updated on September 20, 2024
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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.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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Is there a treatment method for prostate cysts?

Prostate cysts are a benign condition of the prostate, generally discovered during ultrasonic examinations of the urinary system. The treatment for prostate cysts primarily depends on the size of the cyst and whether it can cause related symptoms. If the prostate cyst is small and asymptomatic, it may not require treatment. However, if the cyst is large, it can compress the bladder, leading to urethral blockage, and cause symptoms like difficulty urinating, frequent urination, urgency, or even urinary retention, and can also compress the rectum causing difficulty in defecation. In such cases where these symptoms are present, surgical treatment is needed. There are two types of surgeries: one is the percutaneous treatment of the prostate cyst and the other is transurethral resection of the prostate.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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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.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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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.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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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.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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What does prostate cyst mean?

Prostate cysts occur due to congenital or acquired cystic changes in the prostate gland. Small prostate cysts usually do not exhibit any symptoms. However, if an infection or stones are present, it can lead to symptoms such as frequent urination, urinary urgency, strained urination, and a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. When the prostate cyst is large, it can compress the urethra or the neck of the bladder, obstructing urine flow, which may lead to frequent urination, urgency, difficulty in urinating, a thin urine stream, and even urinary retention. Additionally, it may compress the rectum, causing difficulty in defecation. If the prostate cyst is asymptomatic, no treatment is necessary. Surgical treatment may be considered for large or symptomatic prostate cysts, or treatment could be administered via transrectal prostate cyst puncture.