Characteristic pattern of human prostatic growth with age

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Andrology
• Human Anatomy

Background:

• The human prostate gland undergoes significant changes throughout a male's lifespan.
• Understanding age-related prostate growth is crucial for diagnosing and managing conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the typical growth patterns of the human prostate gland across different age groups.
• To identify distinct life stages of prostate development and growth.

Main Methods:

• Utilized B-ultrasonography to measure prostate volume in 1,601 males.
• Included participants ranging from newborn to 92 years of age, encompassing normal subjects and BPH patients.

Main Results:

• Prostate growth was categorized into four distinct life stages: two slow-growing phases (newborn-9 years, 30-50 years) and two rapid-growing phases (10-30 years, 50-90 years).
• The second rapid growth phase (50-90 years) showed variable rates (0.50 g/year or 1.20 g/year), associated with the development of BPH.
• A mathematical equation was derived to express prostate growth up to age 70.

Conclusions:

• Prostate volume and growth rates vary significantly with age, occurring in four distinct phases.
• The identified growth phases provide a framework for understanding normal prostate development and age-related changes.
• The study offers a predictive model for prostate growth, aiding in clinical assessment and research.