What is the Prostate and where the Prostate Located?

The prostate is a gland located at the outlet of the bladder and surrounds the urethra (the pipe the carries the urine out through the penis). At the lower end of the prostate is the sphincter muscle that controls continence and close to this is the verumontanum which is a small “hill” through which the ejaculatory ducts empty semen on ejaculation.





As men get older the prostate gland increases in size and this process is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). In many men this causes no symptoms at all but in some it can cause significant distress.





What does it do?

The main purpose of the prostate is to provide the bulk of the seminal fluid. Only a small amount of the ejaculate actually come from the testicles (the sperm) and the majority comes from other glands. The prostate secretes substances that protect the sperm and aid fertility.

The prostate does not make hormones and is not involved in libido or erections.


What about prostate cancer?

The normal enlargement of the prostate described does not lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is extremely common as men age and indeed once in our 80’s it is normal to find a tiny area of cancer in most men.

There are grades of prostate cancer from 2 (very well behaved) to 10 which can be aggressive, but fortunately is less common than the lower grades.

Whilst not all prostate cancers need treating in all men due to often a very benign course, all patients will undergo examination of the prostate and have a blood test (PSA) to try an exclude prostate cancer before the operation. If an abnormality is found prior to the operation we will have to discuss the merits of prostate biopsy. Any concerns regarding the possibility of prostate cancer will be fully discussed before proceeding.