In the last decade, an impressive amount of clinical research data has shed new light on pathogenesis and management of the chronic prostatitis syndrome. A new classification and a validated symptom score have enabled urologists worldwide to speak a "common language", thus greatly improving the amount and quality of focused research in this field. In Europe, a large number of groups and experts have been actively involved in this research, and have developed in many cases a genuine view on prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain etiology, diagnosis and treatment. The present paper, written by a panel of researchers from Europe and Far East Russia, reviews the most recent findings, discusses the most controversial contemporary topics on prostatitis syndromes, and highlights a number of unresolved issues requiring further research and study.