Prostate Problems Glossary

antibiotic (AN-tee-by-AH-tik): A medicine that kills bacteria.

bacteria (bak-TEER-ee-uh): Tiny organisms that cause infection or disease.

benign (be-NINE) prostatic (prah-STAT-ik) hyperplasia (HY-per-PLAY-sha) (BPH): An enlarged prostate not caused by cancer. BPH can cause problems with urination because the prostate squeezes the urethra at the opening of the bladder.

cystoscope (SIS-toh-scope): A tube-like instrument used to look inside the urethra and bladder.

ejaculation (ee-JAK-yoo-LAY-shun): The sudden release of semen through the penis during sexual climax.

intravenous (IN-truh-VEE-nus) pyelogram (PY-loh-gram) (IVP): An x ray of the urinary tract. A dye is injected to make urine visible on the x ray and show any blockage in the urinary tract.

prostate (PRAH-state): In men, a walnut-shaped gland that surrounds the urethra at the neck of the bladder. The prostate supplies fluid that goes into semen.

prostatectomy (PRAH-stuh-TEK-tuh-mee): Removal of the entire prostate gland.

prostatitis (PRAH-stuh-TY-tis): Inflammation of the prostate gland. Chronic prostatitis means the prostate gets inflamed over and over again. The most common form of prostatitis is not associated with any known infecting organism.

transurethral (TRANZ-yoo-REE-thrul): Through the urethra. Several transurethral procedures are treatments for BPH:

TUMT (transurethral microwave thermotherapy): Destroys excess prostate tissue interfering with the exit of urine from the body by using a probe in the urethra to deliver microwaves.

TUNA (transurethral needle ablation): Destroys excess prostate tissue with electromagnetically generated heat by using a needle-like device in the urethra.

TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate): Removes the excess prostate tissue by using an instrument with an electrical loop.

urethra (yoo-REE-thrah): The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.