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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It produces prostatic fluid, a component of semen that carries sperm during ejaculation. The urethra, a tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis and out of the body, passes through the prostate. Prostate tissue is divided into several functional zones: the transition zone, central zone, and peripheral zone. The prostate consists of secretory glands and ducts surrounded by vibro-muscular tissue called the stroma. Throughout life, the male sex hormone, testosterone, influences prostate growth and development. Prostatic stromal cells express an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone binds to stromal cells, releasing signaling factors that stimulate prostatic cell division and growth. As men age, dihydrotestosterone can accumulate among prostate cells. In addition, circulating testosterone levels fall and estrogen levels rise. These hormonal changes may lead to excessive prostatic cell growth, characteristic of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. In benign prostatic hyperplasia, the glandular epithelium and stroma proliferate in the transition zone and form nodules that expand the tissue. Over time, the enlarged tissue compresses the urethra and prevents normal urination. In contrast, prostate cancer commonly occurs in the peripheral zone, in which the glandular epithelial cells mutate and divide in an uncontrolled manner. Many new abnormal glands and one or more malignant tumors develop. The large tumors may compress the urethra and disrupt the urine stream. In a process called metastasis, the tumor cells spread to tissues both near and distant from the prostate. Treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia may include medications such as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which block the enzymatic conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. As a result, the excess stromal and epithelial growth stops, and the prostate shrinks. One treatment for prostate cancer is radical prostatectomy, a procedure in which the entire prostate and select surrounding tissues are surgically removed. Other treatments for prostate cancer include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and other surgical procedures such as transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP. ♪ [music] ♪
"I just wanted to let you know that after several days on trial, I settled
[my client's] construction accident case for $4.5 million. Immediately after
the jury was discharged, I spoke with several jurors who told me that they
really appreciated the medical illustrations for their clarity in dealing
with [my client's] devastating injuries. They also expressed their gratitude
in being able to read from a distance all of the notations without
difficulty. Obviously, the boards were visually persuasive. I am certain
that this contributed to our successful result."
Michael Gunzburg, Esq.
Attorney at Law.
New York, NY
"It is my experience that it's much more effective to show a jury what
happened than simply to tell a jury what happened. In this day and age where
people are used to getting information visually, through television and
other visual media, I would be at a disadvantage using only words.
I teach a Litigation Process class at the University of Baltimore Law Schooland use [Medical Legal Art's] animation in my class. Students always saythat they never really understood what happened to [to my client] until theysaw the animation.
Animations are powerful communication tools that should be used wheneverpossible to persuade juries."
Andrew G. Slutkin Snyder Slutkin & Kopec Baltimore, MD
"I would like to thank all of you at Medical Legal Art for all the
assistance you provided. It was a result of the excellent, timely work
that we were able to conclude the case successfully.
I feel very confident that our paths will cross again."
Fritz G. Faerber
Faerber & Anderson, P.C.
St. Louis, MO
"Thank you for the wonderful illustrations. The case resulted in a defense verdict last Friday. I know [our medical expert witness] presented some challenges for you and I appreciate how you were able to work with him."
Robert F. Donnelly
Goodman Allen & Filetti, PLLC
Richmond, VA
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.