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Symptoms Of Bph Vs Prostate Cancer

How Can Treatment Affect The Risk Of Prostate Cancer

Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

While BHP is not prostate cancer, the 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can reduce a mans risk over time of developing prostate cancer by about 25%. There are two benefits to this: First, it makes prostate cancer easier to detect, and second, it prevents the treatments down the road that cause side effects. These hormonal agents are not as effective on more aggressive prostate cancers, and have not been shown to save lives due to prostate cancer. As always, its important to discuss the risks and benefits of these medicines with your doctor.

That said, symptoms are symptoms, and no matter whats most likely to be causing them, you should get them checked out by a doctor.

  • The prostate uses male hormones called androgens, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone , to trigger and maintain male sex characteristics and reproduction. Normally,…

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Questions You May Want To Consider Asking Your Doctor Include:

  • What type of prostate problem do I have?
  • Is more testing needed and what will it tell me?
  • If I decide on watchful waiting, what changes in my symptoms should I look for and how often should I be tested?
  • What type of treatment do you recommend for my prostate problem?
  • For men like me, has this treatment worked?
  • How soon would I need to start treatment and how long would it last?
  • Do I need medicine and how long would I need to take it before seeing improvement in my symptoms?
  • What are the side effects of the medicine?
  • Are there other medicines that could interfere with this medication?
  • If I need surgery, what are the benefits and risks?
  • Would I have any side effects from surgery that could affect my quality of life?
  • Are these side effects temporary or permanent?
  • How long is recovery time after surgery?
  • Will I be able to fully return to normal?
  • How will this affect my sex life?
  • How often should I visit the doctor to monitor my condition?
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What Other Problems Might An Enlarged Prostate Cause

A small number of men may find it difficult to empty their bladder properly this is called urine retention. If youve been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, your doctor will look at your test results to see if youre at risk of urine retention. You may be more likely to get urine retention if:

  • youre aged 70 or over
  • your prostate is very large
  • you have a raised prostate specific antigen level
  • you have severe urinary symptoms and a very slow flow.

Chronic urine retention

This is where you cant empty your bladder fully, but can still urinate a little. It usually develops slowly over time. Chronic means long-lasting. The first signs often include a weak flow when you urinate, or leaking urine at night. You may feel that your abdomen is swollen, or that youre not emptying your bladder fully.

Chronic urine retention is usually painless. But the pressure of the urine can slowly stretch your bladder muscle and make it weaker. This can cause urine to be left behind in the bladder when you urinate. If you dont empty your bladder fully, you might get a urine infection, need to urinate more often, leak urine at night, or get painful bladder stones. You might also see some blood in your urine. Chronic urine retention can damage your bladder and kidneys if it isnt treated.

There are treatments for chronic urine retention, including:

  • passing a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to drain urine from your bladder
  • surgery to widen the urethra.

Acute urine retention

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Bph Or Prostate Cancer How Do I Know What Im Dealing With

Both prostate cancer and BPH begin in the prostate. Thats why they have similar symptoms. They are also diagnosed the same way. Either with a PSA test or rectal exam. But, this is their only similarity. BPH emerges in the central component of the prostate gland, whereas cancer grows in the peripheral zone.

Even though the two typically coexist, BPH is not a risk factor for cancer of the prostate. Old age is the biggest predictor of increased cancer risk, together with family history, research shows. In other words, they dont trigger one another.

To manage BPH, doctors recommend medical treatment, mainly with alpha-blockers. If the urinary pathways have suffered significant damage or need a more invasive treatment method, the doctor can suggest surgery like transurethral resection, for example.

Cancer treatment features active surveillance, radiation, or hormone therapy of the urinary pathways. It can also lead to surgery or cryotherapy. Prostate cancer screening can help assess cancer that could be vulnerable to spreading. A prostatic fluid sample can provide the necessary information.

Erectile dysfunction could develop post-BPH or cancer treatment. Urinary tract complications caused by BPH are likely to happen. ED prevalence is roughly 50% at 50 years, reaching a whopping 70% at the age of 70 or older.

Is Bph Prostate Cancer

UTI

Remember, the b stands for benign. BPH is not prostate cancer, and having BPH doesnt mean a man is more or less likely to get prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer begins in the outer peripheral zone of the prostate, and grows outward, invading surrounding tissue . It often has no symptoms for months or even years, prompting scientists to dub it silent. Because BPH grows inward, it produces annoying, difficult-to-ignore symptoms. An enlarged prostate alone may or may not cause symptoms . However, the degree of bothersome symptoms is the most common reason men seek treatment.

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Treatment Options For Prostatitis

Your treatment for prostatitis will depend on the cause. Antibiotics are often used to treat bacterial prostatitis. If you have a more severe infection, you may need to get antibiotics through your vein. You may have to take antibiotics for two weeks or longer until the infection clears up.

Other treatments you and your doctor may consider include:

  • alpha-blockers, which are medicines that relax the muscles around the prostate and help you urinate more easily
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen or aspirin , for pain relief
  • prostate massage

You can also soak in a warm bath or sit on a cushion to ease the pressure on your prostate.

Prostatitis Vs Prostate Cancer Symptoms And Signs

  • Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland the four types are acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.
  • Prostate cancer develops when abnormal prostate gland cells multiply without control and may metastasize to other organs.
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a noncancerous condition where normal prostate gland cells keep multiplying, thereby increasing the size of the prostate.
  • Prostatitis usually does not lead to death, but prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, even though it is a slow-moving disease.
  • Most men with early prostate cancer have no symptoms or signs symptoms and signs appear when the cancer becomes large enough to cause urinary blockage. Prostatitis, in contrast, usually appears with symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency and/or pain with urination and possibly, some type of sexual dysfunction.
  • Prostate cancer, when it produces signs and symptoms, may produce one or more of the following symptoms or signs that may also be seen in patients with prostatitis or BPH:
  • Painful ejaculation
  • Other prostatic cancer symptoms and signs that may be shared less frequently with prostatitis and/or BPH are the following:
  • Fever
  • Chills
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    Talking With Your Doctor

    Different kinds of doctors and other health care professionals manage prostate health. They can help you find the best care, answer your questions, and address your concerns. These health care professionals include:

    • Family doctors and internists
    • Physician assistants and nurse practitioners
    • Urologists, who are experts in diseases of the urinary tract system and the male reproductive system
    • Urologic oncologists, who are experts in treating cancers of the urinary system and the male reproductive system
    • Radiation oncologists, who use radiation therapy to treat cancer
    • Medical oncologists, who treat cancer with medications such as hormone treatments and chemotherapy
    • Pathologists, who identify diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope

    View these professionals as your partnersâexpert advisors and helpers in your health care. Talking openly with your doctors can help you learn more about your prostate changes and the tests to expect.

    Researchers: Enlarged Prostate Lowers Odds Of Significant Prostate Cancer

    MIUI Minute: BPH vs. Prostate Cancer

    Thursday, August 19, 2021

    Previous studies unclear on relationship between BPH and cancer risk

    A team of Beaumont Health researchers from Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Urology studied the relationship between benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, and prostate cancer in 405 men by quantitatively looking at different parts of prostate tissue on MRI.

    People often confuse an enlarged prostate gland with cancer given their symptoms and believe increased size is due to abnormal growth, said researcher Dr. Kiran Nandalur, vice chief of Diagnostic Radiology and Molecular Imaging, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. On the contrary, our research showed patients with an enlarged prostate appear to have lower odds of significant prostate cancer.

    The findings were recently published in The Prostate, a peer-reviewed medical journal: Benign prostate hyperplasia as a potential protective factor against prostate cancer: Insights from a magnetic resonance imaging study of compositional characteristics.

    Explained Dr. Nandalur, Prostate MRI, which is noninvasive imaging without radiation, is a powerful radiology test to look at the different anatomy of the prostate, specifically differentiating the central and outer aspects of the prostate gland, and also for underlying cancer.

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    Bph And Risk Of Prostate Cancer

    Meta-analysis of all 19 studies demonstrated that BPH was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer , with significant between-study heterogeneity .3). Subgroup analysis by study design showed that the association between BPH and prostate cancer was stronger in case-control studies than in cohort studies , with a significant subgroup difference . Subgroup analysis by ethnicity suggested that the association between BPH and prostate cancer was stronger in Asians than in Caucasians . The difference remained significant in the meta-analysis of case-control studies . Subgroup analysis by ethnicity was not undertaken among cohort studies as there was no cohort study carried out in Asians. Subgroup analysis by the source of participant recruitment and study quality indicated no significant subgroup differences .

    The relative risk of prostate cancer in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The diamonds indicated the pooled relative risks the size of each box indicates the relative weight of each study in the meta-analysis the horizontal bars show the 95% confidence intervals. CI = confidence interval.

    What Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

    Benign prostatic hyperplasia is very common in men above the age of 40 and can cause the urinary tract to be obstructed. Unlike prostate cancer, BPH is not cancerous nor is it fatal. As you age, your testosterone levels increase, which, in turn, causes your prostate to grow in size or become enlarged.

    During a physical exam, if you have BPH, your healthcare provider will notice your prostate feels larger than it should be. Your PSA tests will also come back elevated. Whereas in prostate cancer, the sides of the prostate are usually affected, in BPH the central portion of the prostate is usually affected. Also, unlike cancer, BPH cannot spread.

    The most common symptoms of BPH include urinary symptoms such as frequency of urination, hesitancy, dribbling, and frequent nighttime urination. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, treatment can range from nothing to medication to shrink the prostate, or surgery to remove the central part of the prostate to allow better flow of urine.

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    Diagnosing Benign Prostate Enlargement

    You might have several different tests to find out if you have an enlarged prostate.

    A GP may do some of these tests, such as a urine test, but others might need to be done at a hospital.

    Some tests may be needed to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms to BPE, such as prostate cancer.

    When Is Bph Treatment Necessary

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    The course of BPH in any individual is not predictable. Symptoms, as well as objective measurements of urethral obstruction, can remain stable for many years and may even improve over time for as many as one-third of men, according to some studies. In a study from the Mayo Clinic, urinary symptoms did not worsen over a 3.5-year period in 73% of men with mild BPH. A progressive decrease in the size and force of the urinary stream and the feeling of incomplete bladder emptying are the symptoms most correlated with the eventual need for treatment. Although nocturia is one of the most annoying BPH symptoms, it does not predict the need for future intervention.

    If worsening urethral obstruction is left untreated, possible complications are a thickened, irritable bladder with reduced capacity for urine infected residual urine or bladder stones and a backup of pressure that damages the kidneys.

    • Inadequate bladder emptying resulting in damage to the kidneys
    • Complete inability to urinate after acute urinary retention
    • Incontinence due to overfilling or increased sensitivity of the bladder
    • Bladder stones
    • Recurrent severe hematuria
    • Symptoms that trouble the patient enough to diminish his quality of life

    Find a Location

    Currently, the main options to address BPH are:

    • Watchful waiting
    • Medication
    • Surgery

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    Symptoms Of Benign Prostate Enlargement

    The prostate is a small gland, located in the pelvis, between the penis and bladder.

    If the prostate becomes enlarged, it can place pressure on the bladder and the urethra, which is the tube that urine passes through.

    This can affect how you pee and may cause:

    • difficulty starting to pee
    • a frequent need to pee
    • difficulty fully emptying your bladder

    In some men, the symptoms are mild and do not need treatment. In others, they can be very troublesome.

    What Causes Prostatitis Vs Bph

    The cause of BPH or enlarged prostate is by benign growth that enlarges the prostate gland. Researchers do not know exactly what causes the gland to enlarge, but they have speculated that it might be related to hormonal changes as men age.

    In men under the age of 35, the most common type of prostatitis is acute bacterial prostatitis, while in older patients non-bacterial prostatitis is the most common type. There are four types or syndromes of prostatitis.

    • Type I – Acute bacterial prostatitis
    • Type II – Chronic bacterial prostatitis
    • Type III Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome
    • Type IV is asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.

    The cause of acute bacterial prostatitis is by bacteria that may be present in the urethra and then infect the prostate gland. Chronic bacterial prostatitis occurs because of inadequate treatment or because of a structural/functional problem in the urinary tract. Researchers and doctors do not completely understand the cause of chronic prostatitis, but it is speculated that the cause may be initiated by neurological injury and/or related to infection.

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    BPH and prostate cancer are disorders that only affect men. BPH is not a type of cancer like prostate cancer. Both, however, are diseases of the prostate gland that is part of the male reproductive system. The former is frequent and non-fatal, whereas prostate cancer, when advanced, can be dangerous.

    How Is Prostatitis Diagnosed

    Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia vs Prostate Cancer

    If you suspect you have prostatitis, make an appointment with your doctor. Theyll need to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. For example, an enlarged prostate, cystitis, and some other conditions can cause similar symptoms.

    Your doctor will perform a physical exam, including a prostate exam. Your prostate is located in front of your rectum. During a digital rectal exam, your doctor will feel your prostate and check for enlargement. In some cases, they may recommend a cystoscopy. In this procedure, your doctor will insert a small scope through your urethra to look at your bladder and prostate gland.

    Your doctor also needs to determine the type of prostatitis you have. They may order blood tests and urine analysis.

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    Symptoms Of Enlarged Prostate

    Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, is the enlargement of the prostate gland. About half of men over age 75 will experience symptoms of BPH. BPH is a very minor condition and is not related to prostate cancer. However, symptoms can cause discomfort and be inconvenient.

    How Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treated

    Treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia may include

    • lifestyle changes
    • minimally invasive procedures
    • surgery

    A health care provider treats benign prostatic hyperplasia based on the severity of symptoms, how much the symptoms affect a mans daily life, and a mans preferences.

    Men may not need treatment for a mildly enlarged prostate unless their symptoms are bothersome and affecting their quality of life. In these cases, instead of treatment, a urologist may recommend regular checkups. If benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms become bothersome or present a health risk, a urologist most often recommends treatment.

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    What Else Can Cause These Symptoms

    As men get older their prostate gland enlarges. It isn’t normally cancer. But instead a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia . BPH is when the prostate gland grows and presses on the urethra. The urethra is the tube that empties out urine from the bladder.

    BPH does not develop into cancer. But you can have an enlarged prostate at the same time as having areas in the prostate gland that contain cancer cells.

    See your doctor if you have any of the changes described here.

    The changes don’t mean that you have cancer but it is important to get them checked so your doctor can help with you cope with them.

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