Contents:
- Medical Video: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
- Overview of prostate cancer
- Overview of BPH
- What is the difference between prostate cancer and BPH?
- What are the different symptoms of prostate cancer and BPH?
- How to diagnose it?
Medical Video: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Prostate swelling is a condition commonly found in men aged 40-50 and above. Swollen prostate can cause pain every time you urinate or after ejaculation. There are two health problems that can cause the prostate to swell:prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) aka benign prostate enlargement.The male prostate gland will continue to develop throughout his life. That's why older men are more at risk of developing prostate enlargement.
Get to know the difference between prostate cancer and BPH so you can get the right treatment.
Overview of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer occurs when prostate cells develop out of control, forming a tumor that urges and damages the surrounding tissue. The prostate itself is a gland the size of a walnut that lies below the bladder. The prostate produces semen that carries sperm.
DNA mutations can cause prostate cells to grow malignant and divide faster than normal cells, making them cancer cells. The cause of cancer cell DNA mutations is not yet known, but is generally triggered by aging. Its development can be accelerated with unhealthy lifestyles, such as rarely exercising, smoking, and high-fat diets that can lead to obesity.
Overview of BPH
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), more commonly known as benign prostate enlargement, is also an enlarged prostate condition due to excessive prostate cell growth. The difference is, BPH is a type of non-cancerous tumor.
Although the cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia is still unknown, it is believed that changes in hormonal balance and cell growth factors can cause prostate swelling.
What is the difference between prostate cancer and BPH?
The difference between prostate cancer and BPH is the type of tumor cell. Not all tumors are cancer and vice versa. Basically, tumors are abnormal cell growth in certain parts of the body. Tumors occur when the body's cells divide and grow excessively.
If the cell growth only occurs in certain parts of the body and does not spread, then it is a benign tumor. While tumor cells that spread to other parts of the body are called malignant tumors or cancer.
Prostate cancer results from the growth of a malignant tumor in the prostate gland. Because the nature of the tumor is malignant, prostate cancer cells can grow very quickly and spread to other body parts. Meanwhile, BPH is benign (not cancerous) tumor cell growth. Benign tumor cells only grow and settle on one part of the body.
What are the different symptoms of prostate cancer and BPH?
A swollen prostate is a sign of cancer if the testicles feel bumpy when touched. Other accompanying symptoms include:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Strong urge to urinate
- It is difficult to start or stop the flow of urine
- Not able to urinate
- Weak or reduced urine flow
- Intermittent urine flow
- A feeling that the bladder is not completely empty
- Burning or pain when urinating
- Blood in the urine (hematuria) or semen
- Pain during ejaculation
The symptoms caused by BPH may be almost the same as prostate cancer, namely the increased frequency of urination and frequent urination at night. In addition, other symptoms that may arise are:
- It is difficult to start or stop the flow of urine (dripping)
- Weak urine flow
- Feel the bladder is not completely empty after urinating
- Difficulty in emptying the bladder, such as feeling like wanting to urinate after urinating, or having pain when urinating
- Difficulties in accommodating urine, such as waking up at night to urinate, frequent urination, suddenly unbearable to urinate.
- Pain when urinating
- Fever above 38 ° C, shivering
- Painful body aches
- Urine or semen bleeding or suppurating
Cancerous prostate swelling is usually more visible on the side of the prostate, while the swollen prostate due to BPH is more visible in the middle.
How to diagnose it?
The initial diagnosis of prostate cancer and BPH is done by a basic physical examination to check the size of your prostate is it bigger than it should or not.
Other methods such as CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and blood tests to measure PSA (prostate-specific antigen) and alkaline phosphatase levels can also be done to get an accurate diagnosis.
Prostate cancer and BPH are both characterized by higher levels of PSA and alkaline phosphatase in the blood. Furthermore, a biopsy can be done to detect the presence of cancer cells in your prostate gland sample.
It is best to consult a doctor to determine the right diagnostic steps for your condition.
