Question: What causes an enlarged prostate? Was it something I was drinking or eating?

Dr. Hibberd's Answer:

As far as we know, an enlarged prostate gland isn't caused by anything you ate or drank. It is commonly seen in aging men.

The prostate serves as a reservoir for secretions. In young men, prostate infections may enlarge the gland. Prostate calculi (stones) may form and cause an inflammatory reaction that enlarges the prostate, and can also elevate the PSA reading as much as 20 times normal.

Benign enlargement of prostate (BPH) gland may progress to full urinary obstruction requiring surgery if not managed and treated appropriately. We have medications that, when taken regularly, will reduce the enlargement, and other medications that ease the passage of urine.

Malignant enlargement of prostate glands is, of course, prostate cancer. Although it can occur at any age — usually over 40 — it is believed to develop in almost all men by the time they reach their 90s.

Concern about prostate cancer relates to the aggressive variety only, and it behooves the patient to work with his urologist to treat his condition appropriately.

In other words, not all cases of prostate cancer are best treated with cookie-cutter "look-up-the-book" treatment protocols. All treatment options have drawbacks, and careful consideration of risk/benefit ratios is important to discuss with your treating physicians.