BPH vs Prostate Cancer – What You Should Know

BPH vs prostate cancer” highlights the need to differentiate between benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, two conditions affecting the prostate with distinct causes and treatments. The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut in the male reproductive system that is responsible for producing a fluid that is an ingredient in semen. Over time, some men develop an enlarged prostate.

Experiencing symptoms related to the prostate gland can be concerning. It can be especially stressful if you are unsure whether your specific symptoms indicate a benign condition or something more serious like developing prostate cancer.

Two of the most common prostate problems are benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. While these two medical conditions can present with similar symptoms, they are distinct disorders with their own treatment strategies.

Understanding prostate problems is the first step in finding the right path forward for relief and maximizing your health. Let’s begin with a better understanding of the two conditions – BPH and prostate cancer.

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. This medical development is common in aging men. As the prostate gets larger, it can press on the bladder and the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body.

BPH is not cancerous. It does not increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. However, it can impact your quality of life and may require treatment to find relief from BPH symptoms.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer occurs when prostate cells grow uncontrollably. It is one of the most common cancers affecting males but usually progresses at a slow rate. In many cases, early detection is possible through screenings like the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or a digital rectal exam.

Early prostate cancer may not produce noticeable symptoms, but it’s best to catch cancer early for the best chance at successful treatment.

BPH Symptoms vs Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Symptoms of BPH usually center around urinary issues. Many men with BPH report the following:

• Frequent urination, mainly at night
• Difficulty starting or stopping urination
• Weak stream
• Feeling like the bladder isn’t fully emptied

Symptoms of prostate cancer can include similar markers but there may also be differences:

• Difficulty urinating
• Blood in the urine
• Hip, back, or chest pain
• Numbness in lower extremities

The Differences Between BPH and Prostate Cancer

While some urinary symptoms may overlap between BPH and prostate cancer, there are key differences between the two medical conditions. BPH is noncancerous whereas prostate cancer is a malignant growth of the prostate cells. Prostate cancer symptoms may go beyond urinary issues to include systemic pain and weakness.

The diagnostic tests used to identify each disease are distinct as are the treatment options. But more on that later. First, let’s discover what puts some men at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

The likelihood of developing prostate cancer depends on a combination of risk factors. Here are some key risk factors for developing cancerous cells in the prostate gland:

• Age: There is a higher risk of developing prostate cancer over the age of 50.
• Family History: Men with a family history of prostate cancer are at a higher risk.
• Genetics: Inherited mutations in genes, specifically BRCA1 and BRCA2, increase prostate cancer risk.
• Race: African American males and Caribbean men of African ancestry have a greater risk.
• Lifestyle: A diet high in fat and a lack of exercise are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
• Environment: Certain chemicals and smoking are prostate cancer risk factors.

Diagnostic Tests

Diagnosing BPH or prostate cancer can involve several steps, some of which overlap. Let’s examine how specialists will go about reviewing your prostate health.

It doesn’t really matter between BPH and prostate cancer, in both a doctor may perform a digital rectal exam by feeling the prostate gland through the rectum to check for prostate enlargement or hard and lumpy areas. Another test common between the two is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. It detects elevated levels of PSA in the blood which can indicate BPH or prostate cancer.

For benign prostatic hyperplasia, a doctor will use urine flow studies or measure the amount of urine left in the bladder of elimination. An ultrasound may help the doctor visualize the prostate and more accurately assess its size.

For prostate cancer diagnosis, a prostate biopsy – cutting out a sample of prostate tissue to examine it for cancer cells – will provide a more definitive answer. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans can help detect prostate cancer and determine the extent of its spread.

Enlarged Prostate and Prostate Cancer Treatment Options

The good news is that both BPH and prostate cancer are highly treatable, especially if early detection is possible. Consider some of the top techniques used to address these two medical conditions.

Enlarged Prostate Treatment

The goal of BPH treatments is to relieve severe BPH symptoms. Medications like alpha blockers or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can help to relax muscles or reduce hormones responsible for prostate growth. Minimally invasive procedures like water vapor therapy safely use steam to reduce excess prostate tissue.

Surgical procedures like the transurethral resection (TURP) procedure remove small pieces of extra prostate tissue with an electric loop. More advanced surgeries such as prostate artery embolization (PAE) work to reduce the blood flow to the prostate to shrink it gradually.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

Treating prostate cancer may simply involve active surveillance. Watchful waiting with regular testing may be all that is necessary unless progression is seen. Depending on the circumstances, a urologist may recommend a prostatectomy – removal of the prostate gland. Alternate treatments include:

• External Radiation Therapy: Radiation is targeted on the prostate from outside the body.
• Brachytherapy: Radioactive seeds are placed inside the prostate to attack abnormal cells.
• Hormone Therapy: Blocking or reducing the production of testosterone which prostate cancers rely on.
• Chemotherapy: Drugs are used to kill rapid-growth cancer cells.
• Cryotherapy: Freezes and kills cancer cells.
• High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU): Focused ultrasound waves are used to destroy cancer cells.

Conclusion

When it comes to BPH vs prostate cancer, there are a few similarities. Both may involve urinary symptoms. Each may use a blood test – prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing – for diagnosis. However, the two disorders are distinct medical conditions.

BPH is the result of prostate changes over time that lead to an enlarged prostate. Patient’s symptoms can be treated with a variety of methods ranging from lifestyle changes to medication and minimally invasive procedures.

On the other hand, prostate cancer is the result of abnormal cells multiplying in the prostate. In advanced prostate cancer, a variety of treatments can be used to directly attack the cancerous cells through the use of radiation, drugs, or other methods.

Another similarity between BPH and prostate cancer? Both are highly treatable, especially if caught early. If you suspect you are facing either of these medical disorders, talk with your healthcare professional to determine the best course of diagnosis and treatment.