What is a prostate nodule? The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system and is about the size and shape of a walnut. It is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate produces a secretion that is part of the seminal fluid. A prostate nodule is a hard area that can appear on the prostate gland. The nodule is raised and firm and feels like a knuckle. A prostate lump may be cancerous. If a doctor finds a lump during a prostate exam, he may recommend a biopsy to rule out the diagnosis of cancer. A biopsy is the removal of a piece of tissue that is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Both a lump and a prostate tumor are essentially the same thing. Both conditions are abnormal entities. However, the word nodule is often used for a benign entity, while a tumor is more often understood as an oncological disease. However, not all tumors are cancerous. What are the causes of the appearance of a prostate nodule? A prostate lump can develop for a variety of reasons, which may include: Prostate cancer Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate gland begin to divide uncontrollably. Some prostate nodules, unlike others, can be cancerous. There are different types of prostate cancer, depending on which cells the cancer originates from. The different types of prostate cancer include: Adenocarcinoma; Sarcoma; Small cell carcinoma; Neuroendocrine tumors; Transitional Cell Carcinomas Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. It is also noted that the average age at diagnosis of the disease is 66 years, and 60% of cases occur after the age of 65. Prostatitis Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, often as a result of a bacterial infection. About half of all men experience prostatitis at some point in their lives. Prostatitis does not increase the risk of other prostate diseases. There are four types of prostatitis: Chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. This is the most common type of prostatitis and can come and go without warning. Symptoms of the condition include pain and discomfort in the groin and bladder. The disease can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or alpha-blockers; Chronic bacterial prostatitis. It is a bacterial infection, the only symptom of which may be a bladder infection. The condition can be treated with antibiotics, but it can recur after healing; Acute bacterial prostatitis. This condition starts suddenly and results from a bacterial infection and is the least common type of prostatitis, but the easiest to diagnose and treat with antibiotics. Symptoms include chills,increased body temperature and blood in the urine; Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. This condition has no symptoms and often does not need treatment. A doctor usually discovers it while checking for another condition Prostate Stones Prostate stones develop in or around the prostate gland. They can be the result of blockages due to, for example, chronic inflammation or enlargement of the prostate, which doctors call benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Sometimes stones form when a blockage causes urine to build up in the urethra. About 80% of prostate stones are composed of calcium phosphate and can look like nodules. Prostate calculi or prostate stones can result from chronic prostatitis. They often cause similar symptoms. Treatment is not always necessary for prostate stones. Sometimes, however, they can lead to inflammation, pain or difficulty urinating. In these cases, the doctor can remove them using electrical or laser treatment. Other Causes of a Prostate Lump Other causes of prostate lumps include: Infarct, an area of ??dead tissue that occurs when there is a loss of blood supply; Abnormalities in the rectum, such as hemorrhoids How is a prostate lump diagnosed? A doctor diagnoses a prostate nodule based on the patient’s symptoms and medical history. A urine sample may be taken for testing. Rectal examination The standard way to examine the prostate is a rectal examination. During which the doctor carefully inserts his finger, using gloves and lubricant, to feel the prostate. The test takes about 10�15 seconds. The test allows the doctor to feel changes in the prostate. During the examination, the prostate is checked for: Size, firmness and texture; Any hard areas, lumps or nodules; Any pain that may occur with pressure on the prostate; The examination may show the presence of a lump in the prostate. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test This is a blood test that checks for high levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein that the prostate produces. High levels of PSA in the blood can indicate a variety of changes and conditions, which include: Prostate cancer; Enlarged prostate; Prostatitis Biopsy If a doctor thinks a patient has prostate cancer, he will order a prostate biopsy, in which samples are taken from several areas of the prostate gland for examination. If the test shows the presence of cancer, the doctor will discuss treatment options with the patient. What is the prognosis for a prostate nodule? The presence of a prostate lump does not necessarily mean that the patient has cancer, however, cancer is one of the possible causes of a lump in the prostate. Treatment and prognosis for a prostate nodule depend on the cause of the condition and the health of the patient. Often, patients do not need treatment. In cases wherefor cancer, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, and a number of other treatment options. The prognosis for prostate cancer can be good if the diagnosis is made early, when the cancer has not yet spread to other parts of the body. However, the prognosis varies depending on the type of cancer and the patient’s age and overall health. References: 1. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Hyun, JS Clinical significance of prostatic calculi 2. American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer 3. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test 4. Medical News Today. All you need to know about prostate nodules