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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Does prostate cyst affect sexual life?

Prostate cysts do not affect sexual life. If the prostate cyst is relatively small, it has no impact on the body and may not require treatment, as it shows no symptoms. However, if the cyst is large, it may compress the urethra, resulting in difficulty urinating, frequent urination, urgency, hesitancy, incomplete bladder emptying, and even acute urinary retention. Sometimes, a large prostate cyst may also compress the rectum, causing difficulty in defecation. If the cyst is large and causes a series of compressive symptoms, surgical treatment may be considered. The surgery generally involves a transurethral resection of the prostate cyst, which is a minimally invasive surgery and also has no impact on the body.

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Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
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What is inside a prostate cyst?

Cysts are generally benign, possibly containing fluid and cystic fluid, etc. Therefore, if symptoms occur, it is recommended to visit the urology department for further examinations. When necessary, a biopsy through aspiration might be needed. Subsequently, follow-up plans should be based on the results. If confirmed, it is advisable to have surgical removal. Regular rest and attention to diet, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, avoiding overwork, reducing activity, especially strenuous activity, and making necessary adjustments are recommended. However, if there is suspicion of malignancy, active surgical intervention is needed to prevent further harm.

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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 Chen Feng
Urology
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How is a prostate cyst treated?

The treatment method for prostate cysts depends on the size of the cyst and the clinical symptoms of the patient. If the volume of the prostate cyst is relatively small and does not cause compression to the surrounding tissues, the patient's clinical symptoms will not be pronounced, and in such cases, no special treatment is required - regular follow-up examinations of the prostate cysts will suffice. For some patients with prostate cysts where the cyst is relatively large and likely to compress the surrounding tissues, symptoms such as perineal pain and discomfort may occur. In such cases, the cyst can be removed surgically. Generally, after surgery, it is advisable to drink plenty of water and urinate frequently to reduce the likelihood of prostate inflammation. Additionally, it is important to have regular prostate check-ups post-surgery.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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What department should I go to for a prostate cyst?

The appearance of prostate cysts is primarily due to the gradual formation after the blockage of the gland's small tubes. If diagnosed with a prostate cyst, it is necessary to visit the urology department of a hospital promptly. Most patients with prostate cysts do not experience discomfort, and these cysts are generally discovered during ultrasound examinations in physical check-ups. For such small cysts without any discomfort, special treatment is usually not necessary. If symptoms like frequent urination, urgent urination, or incomplete bladder emptying occur, improvements can be made via local hot compresses or warm sitz baths. If the cyst is large and compresses the urethra, causing urinary retention, it is advisable to consider surgery as soon as possible to remove the cyst and restore the flow of urination.