To tell the difference, a doctor will usually perform a digital rectal exam(putting a rubber-gloved finger up the rectum to feel the outside of the prostate for lumps, hardness, and size) and order a PSA blood test. (See "What is a DRE" and the Glossary entry for PSA). In some cases where the PSA is very high (Generally over 4.0 is the usual rule of thumb though this may vary depending upon the patient's age or race.

BPH is rarely a life-threatening condition. Because it progresses rather slowly, your symptoms may be similar to those seen in prostate cancer. However, BPH is not thought to increase one's susceptibility to cancer. Your question probably arises from findings concerning prostate-specific antigen levels, or PSA level. BPH sufferers exhibit levels two to three times higher than what is considered normal. Additionally, there is a parallel between high levels of PSA and cancer incidence.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is probably a normal part of the aging process in men, caused by changes in hormone balance and in cell growth.

Your doctor can diagnose BPH by asking questions about your symptoms and past health and by doing a physical exam. Tests may include a digital rectal exam, which lets your doctor feel the size of your prostate, and a urine test (urinalysis). In some cases, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is done to help rule out prostate cancer. (Prostate cancer and BPH are not related, but they can cause some of the same symptoms.

You cannot prevent BPH or the urination problems it may cause. Some people believe that regular ejaculations will help prevent prostate enlargement. But there is no scientific proof that ejaculation helps.

Symptoms of BPH are associated with urinary difficulties such as frequent urination, especially at night; urinary urgency; leaking or dribbling urine; and a weak urine stream.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate gland . The prostate gland surrounds the urethra , the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. As the prostate gets bigger, it may squeeze or partly block the urethra. This often causes problems urinating. BPH occurs in almost all men as they age. BPH is not cancer. An enlarged prostate can be a nuisance, but it is usually not a serious problem. About half of all men older than 50 have some symptoms.1

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that affects men over the age of 50. As the prostate enlarges, it can squeeze down on the urethra like a clamp on a garden hose, resulting in urinary difficulties.

Yes. TUNA Therapy and Prostiva RF Therapy are among the few recommended minimally invasive treatments in the American Urological Association Guideline on Management of BPH.

From two to six weeks patients will notice improvement. Full improvement may not occur for two to three months. Follow your physician’s instructions as to when to stop taking your BPH medication.

Current risk estimates suggest that 1 out of 3 Americans will develop some type of cancer in their lifetime. This means that 2 out of 3 Americans will not develop cancer.

There are many different types of spinal tumors. One category is related to tumors that involve the spinal bones and a second broad category involves tumors of the spinal cord and its coverings. There are many spinal tumors that are not aggressive in their growth potential but still cause problems because of their mass and location. So, spinal tumors are not necessarily a sign of metastatic cancer.

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate. It is a common non-cancerous condition in older men.

If you are experiencing any of these urinary symptoms you should see a doctor. If you you have blood in your urine, pain with urination, burning with urination or are unable to urinate, you should immediately see your physician. No, BPH is not cancer and cannot lead to cancer, although both conditions can exist together. There are usually no symptoms during the early stages of prostate cancer, and so yearly physical examinations and PSA tests are highly recommended to eliminate cancer diagnosis.

Absolutely. The Sonablate® 500 is an acoustic ablation device that is used for the treatment of BPH and prostate cancer. It is a non invasive procedure that can be done usually in one hour for most BPH cases. Several studies have been published on results of using HIFU to treat BPH. You can read more by visiting the clinical data section. Learn more.