Prostate
The prostate is a small gland found only in men. It is the size of a walnut and lies below the bladder. It surrounds the first part of the tube (urethra) which carries urine from the bladder to the penis. The function of the prostate is to secrete a fluid, rich in nutrients and enzymes for sperm, that makes up part of the semen.
The prostate gland lies in front of the rectum, and its posterior surface can be felt during a rectal examination. The prostate produces a protein called PSA (prostate-specific antigen), which can be raised in patients who have an enlarged prostate gland (BPH), prostate cancer, urinary tract infection, or following recent surgery or instrumentation (eg: putting in a catheter) to the lower urinary tract.
Three common conditions affect the prostate gland, and these are benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, and prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate.
Benign enlargement of the prostate
In this condition the prostate enlarges, and as it does so it may compress the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis) causing problems urinating.
HoLEP, REZUM and UroLift
Surgical treatments for benign enlargement of the prostate (BPH) are an option for men with troublesome symptoms who have not had satisfactory results after trying prostate medication, or who do not wish to remain on longterm medication for their prostate condition.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is a common condition that may be caused by infection or inflammation of the prostate and sometimes the area around it. It is seen most commonly in men younger than 50 yrs and some studies suggest that as many as 10 percent of adult males suffer from prostatitis.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the commonest non-skin cancer in men in the UK. It is different from most cancers in that a significant proportion of men, particularly older men with a shorter life expectancy, have a non-aggressive form of this cancer, meaning that it is unlikely to cause symptoms or progress beyond the prostate gland during their lifetime.
Brachytherapy
Cambridge Urology Partnership harbours one of the leading teams of experts in performing brachytherapy for localised prostate cancer.
Targeted MRI Fusion Biopsies – Advanced prostate diagnostics
Cambridge Urology Partnership offer the most advanced technology in prostate cancer diagnosis. Mr Kastner and Mr Saeb-Parsy work in team with our radiologists Tristan Barrett and Brendan Koo. Using close feedback they have perfected the 3T MRI assessment and use cutting edge software to fuse high precision imaging (3 Tesla MRI) with live ultrasound to target lesions in the prostate.
REZUM (steam vapour treatment of prostate)
Rezūm is a method by which steam energy is used to ablate (or remove) the particular part of the prostate that enlarges and causes symptoms due to BPH.
