Medical dictionary

What is analysed? Prolactin is a hormone, produced by the anterior pituitary gland, that stimulates lactation (breast milk production). Prolactin levels are high during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Concentrations will remain elevated as long as the mother continues breastfeeding, but will gradually fall back to pre-pregnancy levels afterwards. Besides pregnancy, the other prima

What is prolotherapy? Prolotherapy is a regenerative injection therapy to treat chronic pain related to ligaments, tendons and joints. It is classified as alternative medicine or complementary medicine, in that its effectiveness outside of the placebo effect has not been proven. Why is prolotherapy done? The function of ligaments and tendons is to stabilise the joints and attach mu

What is the prostate?   The prostate is a gland of the male urinary and reproductive system a little larger than a walnut. It is located between the bladder and the penis, behind the intestine, with the urethra running through it.      What is the function of the prostate?   The main function of the prostate is to produce prostatic fluid, which is

What is a prostate biopsy?A prostate biopsy is a test which is done in order to take small samples of tissue from the prostate, which are then looked at in more detail and analysed.  What does it involve?There are generally two types of prostate biopsy. The first is called TRUS (transrectal ultrasound) guided biopsy. First, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum to allow im

What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer is the type of cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system and is an organ that surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. The prostate is responsible for producing seminal fluid. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with 1 in 8 men affected. Every year, 11,000 me

What is a prostatectomy? A prostatectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the prostate. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland only found in men, located between the bladder and the penis. It can be afflicted by a number of conditions, including prostate cancer. A simple prostatectomy is a procedure that only removes part of the prostate. A radical prostatecto

What is being analysed? Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein originating from the cells within the prostate gland. The PSA test evaluates the concentration of this protein circulating in the bloodstream. What does the result mean? The result of the PSA test provides information about the health of the prostate gland. Elevated levels of PSA may indicate prostate inflammation, i

​​What is prostatitis? Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate, a gland located under the male urinary bladder that helps produce semen. It is not a common disorder of the male genitourinary system, but can be distressing and cause severe illness. What symptoms does it present? Symptoms vary depending on whether or not the inflammation is caused by bacterial infection. The most

What is being analysed? Protein C and Protein S are essential components of the body's natural anticoagulant system, playing a crucial role in preventing blood clot formation. This analysis measures the levels of these proteins in the blood.   What does the result mean? The result indicates the concentration of Protein C and Protein S in the blood. Normal levels suggest a