Prostatitis and Prostate Cancer: What Men Need to Know

Many men may be concerned when they experience groin pain, be it the first time or worse, when it happens repeatedly. Groin pain alone is not a specific symptom of prostate cancer, and many potential causes may be unrelated to cancer. One of these reasons can be prostatitis.

Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland, often caused by infection or other factors. It can lead to symptoms such as pain, difficulty urinating and pelvic discomfort. Prostatitis can be felt anywhere in the genital region.

Prostatitis is estimated to impact 10 to 15% of men in the United States. Although it can affect males of all age groups, it is a prevalent urinary tract issue for men under the age of 50.

The inflammation is caused by various forms of infections including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other bacterial infections. In some cases, multiple factors could contribute to prostatitis and prolonged sitting can exacerbate the condition. Studies suggest that a sedentary lifestyle increases pressure on the scrotum area (including the prostate gland), potentially affecting its function.

Prostatitis and prostate cancer share some similar symptoms, including

• Difficulty urinating
• Frequent urination
• Pain or discomfort during urination

These shared symptoms can make it challenging for individuals to distinguish between the two conditions based solely on symptoms.

Nonetheless, prostatitis and prostate cancer are two distinct conditions that affect the prostate via different causes and mechanisms. Although studies are underway to identify a connection between the two conditions, there is no strong evidence at this time to establish an association between them.

One such study was led by Associate Professor Karen Sfanos at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The team investigated how bacterial infections that cause prostatitis are potential factors for initiating prostate cancer. They found that in prostate tissue specimens infected by Escherichia coli, there was

• Prostatitis triggered
• DNA damage by bacterial toxins
• Development of oncogenic gene fusions
• Formation of precancerous lesions

The fusion of TMPRSS2 and ERG genes that they observed during E. coli infection occurs in half of all prostate cancers. Many suggest that this gene alteration plays a vital role in initiating prostate cancer. In an interview, Dr Sfanos reminded that prostate cancer is a multifactorial disease, and the tiny cancer cells harboring the TMPRSS2/ERG gene fusion are usually just one of the multiple cancer sites that develop during prostate cancer.

Despite ongoing research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Cancer Society (ACS), and other experts emphasize that "a cause and effect relationship has not been established between prostate cancer and prostatitis."