The prostate from an immunological perspective

Abstract

Inflammatory and infectious processes triggered in the prostate, the primary male reproductive gland, originate the three main diseases of this organ: prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia and cancer. To understand the relationship between these three pathologies and inflammatory and infectious processes, a review of the scientific literature was carried out in PubMed database using the terms prostate, prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. The revised articles highlight the importance of properly immune system functioning in the prostate tissue to remove the microorganisms that cause infections, a process which also triggers tissue inflammation. In addition, ascending urinary infections, which culminate in chronic prostatitis, favor the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia, enlargement and fibrosis of the prostate in adult men, and even its progression to cancer in genetically susceptible individuals. Furthermore, limitations in the diagnosis of prostatic disorders promote chronic inflammation, and the indiscriminate use of broad spectrum antibiotics for prostatitis treatment leads to sexual dissemination of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Prostatic disorders, especially prostatitis, continue to be enigmatic pathologies of difficult diagnosis and treatment. The study of the prostate, its disorders and its relationship with the immune system will contribute to limit the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and to reduce health costs and the effects on the quality of life of affected individuals.