1. What is the Philip Cheng Prostate Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates prostate volume using the ellipsoid formula (Cheng method) based on length, width, and height measurements.

Purpose: It helps urologists and medical professionals assess prostate size, which is important for diagnosing and managing conditions like BPH.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the ellipsoid formula:

Where:

• \( V \) — Prostate volume (cm³)
• \( L \) — Length (cm)
• \( W \) — Width (cm)
• \( H \) — Height (cm)

Explanation: The formula approximates the prostate as an ellipsoid and calculates its volume using the three orthogonal measurements.

3. Importance of Prostate Volume Calculation

Details: Prostate volume assessment helps in diagnosing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), planning surgical interventions, and monitoring disease progression.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the length, width, and height measurements in centimeters (typically obtained via TRUS or MRI). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What imaging methods provide these measurements?
A: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and MRI are most commonly used to obtain the length, width, and height measurements.

Q2: What's a normal prostate volume?
A: Typically 20-30 cm³ in young men, often increasing with age (may reach 40-60 cm³ in BPH).

Q3: How does this compare to other volume formulas?
A: The ellipsoid formula is more accurate than simple spherical approximations and correlates well with planimetry.

Q4: What's the clinical significance of prostate volume?
A: Larger volumes may correlate with worse BPH symptoms, higher PSA levels, and may influence treatment choices.

Q5: Can this be used for prostate cancer assessment?
A: While volume is important, cancer assessment requires additional parameters like PSA density and imaging characteristics.