Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), benign enlargement of the prostate (BEP), adenofibromyomatous hyperplasia and incorrectly referred to benign prostatic hypertrophy, is an increase in size of the prostate. BPH involves hyperplasia (an increase in the number of cells) rather than hypertrophy (a growth in the size of individual cells), but the two terms are often used interchangeably, even amongst urologists. It involves hyperplasia of prostatic ... More

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), benign enlargement of the prostate (BEP), adenofibromyomatous hyperplasia and incorrectly referred to benign prostatic hypertrophy, is an increase in size of the prostate. BPH involves hyperplasia (an increase in the number of cells) rather than hypertrophy (a growth in the size of individual cells), but the two terms are often used interchangeably, even amongst urologists. It involves hyperplasia of prostatic stromal and epithelial cells, resulting in the formation of large, fairly discrete nodules in the periurethral region of the prostate. When sufficiently large, the nodules compress the urethral canal to cause partial, or sometimes virtually complete, obstruction of the urethra, which interferes with the normal flow of urine. It leads to symptoms of urinary hesitancy, frequent urination, dysuria (painful urination), increased risk of urinary tract infections, and urinary retention. Although prostate specific antigen levels may be elevated in...

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