What is a calcification in the prostate?
The prostate, also called prostate gland, belongs to the male sex organs. It plays an important role in the production of sperm. Inflammation or other diseases of the prostate gland can cause calcification of the glands in the course of life. This is usually a deposit of cells or parts of the secretion. However, calcifications are in most cases harmless and do not require treatment.
Causes
In most cases, the calcification of the prostate is caused by a disease that has subsided, such as an inflammation, the so-called prostatitis. But a healed prostate abscess, i.e. an encapsulated accumulation of infected pus, can also lead to calcification. In most cases, calcification is the result of a deposit of dead cells or dried prostate secretion. In rare cases, benign or malignant prostate cancer can also lead to calcification.
Prostate inflammation
An inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) can be divided into an acute and a chronic form. It usually develops at the base of a bacterial infection through intestinal germs that reach the prostate via the urethra. However, urinary tract infections, urinary retention, testicular and epididymal diseases, sexual intercourse and urological operations can also lead to an inflammation of the prostate.
It often comes with fever, chills and pelvic pain. In addition, patients often complain of frequent and painful urination (pollakiuria and dysuria). The diagnosis is usually made by a urologist based on a blood test and a digital rectal examination. The prostatitis is treated with an antibiotic.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of prostate calcification is made by a urologist. In most cases, calcification is discovered as a random finding during an ultrasound or computer tomography examination as a bright white substance. If the calcifications are so dense that they deposit as prostate stones, they may also be palpated as small hardenings during a digital rectal examination. However, the diagnosis can only be confirmed by means of a CT scan.
These symptoms indicate a calcification in the prostate gland
Calcium in the prostate does not cause any complaints in most cases. If there are complaints, they are usually the result of another underlying disease. If there is inflammation, it can cause a burning sensation when urinating, frequent urination or pain. Prostate cancer or very large prostate stones lead to a narrowing of the urethra and thus to a weakened urinary stream. Patients also often complain of a constant urge to urinate.
How dangerous can this be?
Calcifications are usually harmless. Since they usually do not cause any complaints, they do not need treatment. They have no tendency to degenerate or become inflamed. The underlying disease can be more dangerous. Both an inflammation of the prostate and prostate cancer can lead to serious consequences if not treated and must therefore be treated.
