How to identify and treat a cystic cavity in the prostate gland

A prostate cyst is a limited cavity filled with prostate secretions. Can be formed due to stagnant processes. It is not dangerous in itself and does not always cause any symptoms, but under some conditions it can lead to serious complications. Treatment of a cystic cavity is carried out depending on the individual characteristics of the pathology. Prostate cyst according to ICD-10 is classified under code N42.8.

Kinds

Prostate cysts range in size from 1 to 4 cm, but there are cases of large cavities. The larger its size, the greater the pressure on nearby tissues, which makes urination difficult and causes pain. At the first suspicion, it is very important to immediately undergo examination by a doctor, because if an infection occurs, the cyst can become an abscess (ulcer), and this is fraught with serious complications.

There are many classifications of formations in the prostate in men, depending on the cause of origin, quantity, and other factors.

Cysts can be congenital or acquired:

1. Congenital formations are usually localized at the base of the prostate and have a drop-shaped or spindle-shaped shape, dimensions do not exceed 4 cm, the walls are thin, most often single-chamber. Their peculiarity is that they are rarely isolated and most often develop together with cryptorchidism and hypospadias.
2. Acquired formations occur in 90% of cases, most often they are single, with sizes up to 3 cm. The most common cause of the appearance is blockage of the duct by scar tissue, a stone or tumor, in which prostatic secretions accumulate.

Classification according to quantity:

1. Single.
2. Multiple.

Classification depending on the cause of appearance:

1. False - appear when the gland ducts are blocked.
2. True - appear in connection with other diseases, for example, prostatitis.

Cavities are also distinguished by the presence of infections:

1. Infectious - the cause of the appearance is inflammation due to the activity of pathogenic microflora.
2. Non-infectious - appear from inflammation or blockage without the participation of bacteria.

Formations are similarly divided according to the presence of inflammation:

1. Inflammatory - occurs during inflammation, most often filled with pus, which can lead to major complications.
2. Non-inflammatory - formed for other reasons.

The classification is somewhat arbitrary, because over time, some forms of formations can transform due to infection, the appearance of an inflammatory process, etc.

Reasons for education

The reason for the appearance of a cystic cavity in the prostate is always the same - stagnation of prostatic secretion and its accumulation (if this is not a congenital pathology). They most often form in older men (over 50 years old). Their appearance is also facilitated by:

• inflammation or tumor of the prostate gland;
• other pathologies that contribute to blockage of the ducts - calculi, stones, fibrosis (scarring);
• heavy types of work and constant exposure to vibration (cyst is considered an occupational disease of drivers);
• rare or too frequent sexual intercourse;
• sedentary lifestyle.

Symptoms

A small cyst may not cause any symptoms and is most often discovered incidentally during examination of other pelvic organs. In addition, its location plays an important role.

But a large prostate cyst in men causes the following symptoms:

• difficulty urinating, frequent urge;
• deterioration of potency, premature ejaculation, possible pain;
• pain in the groin area or rectum;
• with an infectious course, an increase in temperature is possible.

All these symptoms are not specific and also occur with adenoma or prostatitis, so careful diagnosis is required to accurately identify the pathology.

Diagnostics

To diagnose pathology, the following examinations are carried out:

1. Palpation. If there are no contraindications for a rectal examination, then this examination is carried out first. It allows you to detect compactions or an increase in the size of the gland, which will be the reason for further examinations.
2. Uroflowmetry. Determines the speed and nature of urination, as well as difficulties at the beginning or end of the process.
3. Tests of blood, urine, semen and prostate secretions. Allows you to determine the nature of the pathology, because with prostatitis and adenoma the indicators are outside the norm, and with a cyst they do not change at all.
4. An ultrasound performed transabdominally or transrectally can detect the formation, its size, the presence of pus and other factors that will be necessary to prescribe therapy. If a prostate cyst is suspected, an ultrasound scan is performed with a full bladder.
5. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are one of the most informative ways to diagnose pathology, but, due to the high cost and complexity of the procedure, it is usually prescribed only when ultrasound data is ambiguous.
6. Biopsy. It is more often carried out to diagnose oncological processes, but can be prescribed to study the contents of the cyst.

Treatment

Treatment of prostate cysts in men is divided into several types, depending on the specific formation and course of the pathology:

1. Observation. In cases where the detected formation does not cause discomfort and, in its current condition, is not capable of causing complications, it is monitored. It consists of periodic (every six months or year) inspections.
2. Conservative therapy. Prostate cysts need to be treated with drugs that eliminate the root cause of their appearance. They are prescribed by the doctor based on the individual characteristics of the pathology.
3. Puncture. If the cystic cavity puts too much pressure on the urinary tract or interferes with other functions, a puncture is prescribed, followed by pumping out the exudate.
4. Sclerosis. It is the introduction into the cavity of a special drug that glues the walls of the cavity.
5. Surgical intervention is prescribed in the most difficult cases, for example, with suppuration of a cyst.

Unlike prostatitis and adenoma, treatment of prostate cysts practically does not involve physiological procedures, because most of them are contraindicated.

Drugs

Drug treatment consists of eliminating the cause of the formation of a cystic cavity; accordingly, specific drugs, dosages, dosage schedule and duration of therapy are prescribed after a full examination and will be individual in each case. In general, the following may be prescribed:

1. Antibiotics for infectious diseases.
2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
3. Alpha adrenergic blockers, which help eliminate congestion in the gland.

Traditional methods

Treatment of cysts with folk remedies is impossible, however, some of them can improve the general condition, reduce inflammation of the prostate, reduce the manifestation of symptoms and help for preventive purposes. Most often used:

• alcohol infusion on walnut shells. It takes 2 weeks to prepare, for this purpose the shells of 10 nuts are poured with 300 ml of vodka. You need to take 1 tbsp before meals. l. within 10 days;
• drinking pumpkin juice. Drink a glass of juice once a day during meals;
• decoction of larch bark. To prepare it, 10 tbsp. l. Dried and crushed bark should be boiled in 1 liter of water and allowed to brew for 12 hours. You need to take 30 ml three times a day before meals for 2 weeks.

Surgical removal

Removal of a prostate cyst is carried out in the most severe cases and can be done in various ways:

1. Puncture – performed for small cavity sizes. A puncture is performed and its contents are removed, after which it heals on its own. The entire process is controlled by ultrasound.
2. Sclerosis – complements the previous method of surgical intervention. If the cavity is large enough and is not able to heal on its own after removing the contents, a special drug is injected into it, which glues it together and prevents the secretion from getting back into it.
3. Surgery is performed only when the abscess begins or the cavity is very large. The formation is excised surgically.

Complications and consequences

If left untreated, prostate cysts in men can cause the following consequences and complications:

• acute urinary retention. Occurs if the cystic cavity significantly blocks the urethral canal;
• vascular deformation, which leads to ischemia and atrophy of the prostate gland;
• rupture of the cyst, after which the pus causes inflammation of the surrounding tissues;
• re-infection, which leads to an abscess;
• in very rare cases, a cyst can transform into a malignant formation (oncology).

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of cysts in the prostate gland, it is recommended:

• avoid hypothermia;
• avoid lifting heavy objects, especially if your bladder is full;
• empty the bladder when you feel the urge, do not allow it to overflow;
• to live an active lifestyle;
• Carry out periodic examinations with a urologist.