Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Key points

• • Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-cancerous overgrowth of the inner part of the prostate that is common with rising age.
• • The enlarged gland presses on the urethra it surrounds, obstructing the outflow of urine from the bladder.
• • This causes a weak stream, hesitancy, dribbling, incomplete emptying, and a need to pass urine often and at night.
• • The bladder muscle thickens as it works harder, and urine held back can lead to infection, stones or back-pressure on the kidneys.
• • It is distinguished from prostate cancer, which arises more in the outer gland and may harden it, so both are considered in an enlarged prostate.