Prostate growth and inflammation.
BACKGROUND
There is emerging evidence that prostatic inflammation may contribute to prostate growth either in terms of hyperplastic (BPH) or neoplastic (PC) changes. Inflammation is thought to incite carcinogenesis by causing cell and genome damage, promoting cellular turnover.


METHODS
We reviewed our personal experience and the international recent literature on the clinical data supporting a role of inflammation on BPH and PC growth and progression.


RESULTS
BPH: Among those patients with self-reported prostatitis, 57% had a history of BPH. MTOPS study showed that men with inflammation had a significantly higher risk of BPH progression and acute urinary retention. We showed that the use of a COX-2 inhibitor in combination with a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor could increase the apoptotic index in BPH tissue. Prostate cancer: A PCR-based analysis of bacterial colonization in PC specimens and normal prostate tissue showed highly suggestive correlation of bacterial colonization and chronic inflammation with a diagnosis of PC. Evidence from genetic studies support the hypothesis that prostate inflammation may be a cause of prostate cancer. De Marzo proposed that proliferative inflammatory atrophy (PIA) is a precursor to PIN and cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
The concept that inflammation can promote prostate growth either in terms of BPH and PC risk remains highly suggestive.
Sciarra
Alessandro
A
Department of Urology U Bracci, University La Sapienza, Via Nomentana 233, Rome, Italy. sciarrajr@hotmail.com
Mariotti
Gianna
G
Salciccia
Stefano
S
Autran Gomez
Ana
A
Monti
Salvatore
S
Toscano
Vincenzo
V
Di Silverio
Franco
F
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000502:physiology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000502:physiology; D011467:Prostate / Q000254:growth & development*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D019048:Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia / Q000209:etiology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors
D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases