[Age-related changes in the size and shape of the prostate observed by transrectal ultrasonography]

To elucidate the change with aging in prostatic morphology, 447 cases without acute diseases and prostate cancer of the first visit from January 1988 to December 1990 were examined by transrectal ultrasonography. Total weight of the prostate, area of maximum section, lateral and anteroposterior diameter on the maximum section and supero-inferior diameter were evaluated. The total weight of the prostate was not found to be correlated with aging. The total weight of the prostate showed a high variation with aging. Prostate growth with more than 30 g was greater in the fifties and increased gradually thereafter. Similar findings were observed for antero-posterior diameter on the maximum section and supero-inferior diameter. With aging, the total weight of the prostate in 20-30% of the patients showed an increase while in 30-40% of the patients, no increase. The total weight of the prostate increased in the fifties with subsequent gradual increase in the sixties. According to prostate shape, antero-posterior diameter on the maximum section and supero-inferior diameter was related to the weight of the prostate.