Prostatitis | Overview


What is the prostate gland?

The prostate is a gland that lies just below a man's urinary bladder. It surrounds the urethra and is in front of the rectum. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the bladder, through the penis and out of the body.

What is prostatitis?

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis may be easily confused with other infections in the urinary tract. If you think you have prostatitis, see your doctor.

Does prostatitis cause cancer?

Although prostatitis can cause you discomfort, it does not cause cancer. Some doctors use a blood test called the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to test for prostate cancer.

If you have prostatitis, your PSA level might go up. This does not mean you have cancer. Your doctor will treat your prostatitis and may check your PSA level again.

The AAFP recommends against prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening for prostate cancer.


Treatment of Prostatitis by JJ Stevermer, M.D., M.S.P.H. and SK Easley, M.D. (American Family Physician May 15, 2000,

Written by editorial staff

Reviewed/Updated: 04/14
Created: 09/00