Prostatic growth rate determined from MRI data: age-related longitudinal changes.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Gerontology
• Radiology

Background:

• Men with enlarged prostates face risks of symptomatic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and acute urinary retention.
• Understanding prostate growth rates is crucial for identifying peak growth periods and potential interventions.
• Longitudinal studies with repeated measurements are necessary to accurately assess natural prostate growth patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-stratified prostate growth rates in men.
• To utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from a longitudinal aging study to analyze prostate volume changes over time.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-four men (ages 30-71) from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) underwent T2 pelvic MRI scans approximately every two years.
• Men were categorized into four age groups: <45, 45-55, 56-65, and >65 years.
• Semi-automated image analysis determined whole prostate, central gland, and peripheral gland volumes; growth rates were calculated.

Main Results:

• A linear trend was observed between overall prostate volume and age.
• The overall prostate growth rate was 2.36 cc/year, peaking at 4.15 cc/year in the 56-65 age group.
• Prostate growth rates increased with age, peaked in the 56-65 group, and then declined significantly in older men.

Conclusions:

• Prostate growth rate demonstrates an age-related increase, peaking between ages 56-65, followed by a decline.
• This age-related growth pattern may help clinicians identify men for early LUTS diagnosis and intervention.
• Larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings on prostate growth trends.