Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a complex pathologic process that varies with age and produces a gland composed of a mixture of glandular, cystic, and stromal hyperplasia with foci of atrophy, which are required for maintenance of the abnormal size of the gland. As the prostate ages, it becomes more sensitive to androgens. The abnormal size of the aged prostate apparently is not maintained by an increase in the rate of cell replication but rather by a decrease in the rate of cell death. This change appears to be mediated by a combination of estrogens and 5α-reduced androgens. Also, estradiol markedly stimulates stroma growth and collagen synthesis. Neonatal and prepubertal steroid imprinting may be of great importance in determining the ultimate growth of the prostate.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 461-475 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Urologic Clinics of North America |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 3 |
State | Published - 1990 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Urology