The role of the prostatic stroma in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the hypothesis of prostatic stromal involvement in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature review to analyze mechanisms commonly indicated as a cause of CP/CPPS that can interfere with the processes of cell growth of smooth muscle fibrocells and may cause smooth muscle cell hypertrophy, periurethral edema, and inflammation.

RESULTS: Our review strongly suggests a prevalent stromal involvement, specifically of the smooth muscle cells, in CP/CPPS physiopathology. The involvement of the endocrine system, in particular the role of estrogens, the neurological pathway mediated by noradrenalin, and the presence of inflammation, support the hypothesis that CP/CPPS could be a disease with a prevalent role of smooth muscle stromal cells rather than glandular structures. Neurogenous inflammation, oxidative stress and psychological factors may be involved in the chronic nature of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS: We believe that new studies regarding chronic prostatitis should also be focused on prostatic stromal involvement in the inflammatory pathway.