Question

Donald is a 62-year-old male who has been experiencing frequent urination and trouble starting to urinate for several weeks. He has a family history of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Donald’s BMI is 29, he occasionally drinks alcohol and coffee, and his diet consists mainly of red meat, starches, and dairy products. Just yesterday, he had an episode of incontinence and decided to seek care immediately. Donald was referred to an urologist who suspected that his prostate was the cause of his urinary issues.

1. Briefly explain how Donald’s prostate could be related to his inability to urinate normally.

2. Explain what a prostate-specific antigen test is and how it could be helpful for Donald.

3. “Watchful waiting” is a treatment approach commonly used in cases involving the prostate. Explain what this means and why it is used.

Answer 1

1.ANSWER: Donald is suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia which is a benign growth of the prostate gland. Symptoms include frequent micturition, trouble to start urinating, weak stream, loss of bladder control. It occurs due to the hyperplasia of prostate which occurs in elderly people. This hyperpladia is due to the effect of androgen which gets converted to estrogen at the prostate tissue which is involved in the cell proliferation leading to the obstruction of urethra causing urinary symptoms.

2.ANSWER: Prostate specific antigen is produced by both normal and malignant cells of the prostate gland. This test measured the level of PSA in blood for which it requires a blood sample for laboratory analysis. Though it is test which is involved for prostatic cancer, the levels gets increased even in bengin prostatic hyperplasic condition. When Donald is indulged in this test the PSA value will be increased. Normal range is less than 4.0 ng/ ml. It could be helpful for this patient because as the value is increased, further investigation like prostate biopsy can be done or treatment procedure can be classified.

3.ANSWER: Watchful waiting is the best approach to a patient with minimal symptoms. In this the patient needs to visit the physician about once a year until the symptoms changes. During this time period the patient must adopt certain lifestyle measures to help himself relieving from symptoms. Avoidance of alcohol and caffeine beverages could also be followed. Exercises to the pelvic floor muscle and keeping the area warm are also certain steps for watchful waiting. Bloood sugar levels should also be under check.