Other Prostate Conditions (Related & Unrelated to Cancer) If it isn't the prostate cancer, what is it? The prostate grows as you get older, causing diseases that can be disruptive. The most common conditions are an enlarged prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH) and prostate inflammation (prostatitis). Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH)BPH is a common condition caused when a man’s prostate is enlarged. Benign means not cancer and hyperplasia means abnormal cell growth. Men with this condition can have their prostates double or even triple in size. The enlarged prostate can press against the bladder and cause trouble with urination (peeing).BPH is not cancer and men who have BPH are not at an increased risk for prostate cancer. Symptoms of BPH are similar to those of prostate cancer, so it’s important to talk with your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms:Trouble starting a urine stream or making more than a dribbleFrequent urination, especially at nightFeeling that the bladder has not fully emptiedWeak or slow urine streamStopping and starting again several times while urinatingBPH treatmentsWhile BPH cannot be cured, drugs and surgery can help to relieve symptoms from the disease. Talk with your doctor or urologist about the best choice for you. Inflammation (Prostatitis)Prostatitis is the inflammation or swelling of the prostate. A diagnosis of prostatitis does not mean that a man has prostate cancer. The inflammation of the prostate can increase the PSA level in the blood.Men with prostatitis frequently have swelling and pain in their prostate. As many as 50 percent of all men will be diagnosed with one form of this condition. There are four types of prostatitis: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.The symptoms a man will experience depend on the type of prostatitis and some men do not have any noticeable symptoms. The most common symptoms include:Trouble passing urineBurning or stinging feeling or pain upon urinationStrong, frequent urge to urinate, even when there is very little urineChills and high feverLow back painPainful ejaculationLiving with ProstatitisTalk with your doctor or urologist if you have these symptoms or have been diagnosed with prostatitis. One tool that may be used to diagnosis prostatitis is the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index. This brief questionnaire helps the physician understand how your prostatitis symptoms are affecting you. The questionnaire should be repeated at follow up appointments to compare your progress.To find a urologist, visit the American Urology Association’s Doctor Finder. All active members are certified by the American Board of Urology.
Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH)BPH is a common condition caused when a man’s prostate is enlarged. Benign means not cancer and hyperplasia means abnormal cell growth. Men with this condition can have their prostates double or even triple in size. The enlarged prostate can press against the bladder and cause trouble with urination (peeing).BPH is not cancer and men who have BPH are not at an increased risk for prostate cancer. Symptoms of BPH are similar to those of prostate cancer, so it’s important to talk with your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms:Trouble starting a urine stream or making more than a dribbleFrequent urination, especially at nightFeeling that the bladder has not fully emptiedWeak or slow urine streamStopping and starting again several times while urinatingBPH treatmentsWhile BPH cannot be cured, drugs and surgery can help to relieve symptoms from the disease. Talk with your doctor or urologist about the best choice for you.
Inflammation (Prostatitis)Prostatitis is the inflammation or swelling of the prostate. A diagnosis of prostatitis does not mean that a man has prostate cancer. The inflammation of the prostate can increase the PSA level in the blood.Men with prostatitis frequently have swelling and pain in their prostate. As many as 50 percent of all men will be diagnosed with one form of this condition. There are four types of prostatitis: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.The symptoms a man will experience depend on the type of prostatitis and some men do not have any noticeable symptoms. The most common symptoms include:Trouble passing urineBurning or stinging feeling or pain upon urinationStrong, frequent urge to urinate, even when there is very little urineChills and high feverLow back painPainful ejaculationLiving with ProstatitisTalk with your doctor or urologist if you have these symptoms or have been diagnosed with prostatitis. One tool that may be used to diagnosis prostatitis is the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index. This brief questionnaire helps the physician understand how your prostatitis symptoms are affecting you. The questionnaire should be repeated at follow up appointments to compare your progress.To find a urologist, visit the American Urology Association’s Doctor Finder. All active members are certified by the American Board of Urology.
