The influence of age and endocrine factors on the volume of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Park, Jong Hoon; Song, Jae Mann

Abstract

The etiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia( BPH) is multifactorial, but it is recognized that two important factors necessary for the induction of BPH in men are the testis(endocrine control) and the aging. From January 1991 to June 1992, we measured 6 hormonal factors in the serum of 129 men who were diagnosed as benign prostatic hyperplasia pathologically to determine whether endocrine factors influence the volume of benign prostatic hyperplasia. These hormonal levels were correlated with the prostatic volume measured by transrectal ultrasound(TRUS). There was no significant correlation for age with total prostatic volume(r=0.06, p=0.31l). With age there was a significant increase in serum testosterone(r=0.25, p=0.003), LH(r=0.42, p=0.000) and cortisol(r=0.25, p=0.016). The prostatic volume measured by prostatic ultrasound was correlated positively with estradiol(r=0.34, p=0.002) and cortisol(r=0.28. p =0.008). Also the prostatic volume was correlated with resected weight of prostate(r=0.38, p=0.000). We suggested that serum estrogen and cortisol levels may be the factors in persistent stimulation of benign prostatic hyperplasia.