Introduction to Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

Introduction

Hyperplasia is a general medical term referring to an abnormal increase in cells. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is noncancerous cell growth of the prostate gland. It is the most common noncancerous form of cell growth in men and usually begins with microscopic nodules in younger men. BPH is not a precancerous condition and does not lead to prostate cancer.

As BPH progresses, it can lead to enlargement of the prostate gland (a condition called benign prostatic enlargement [BPE]). About half of men with BPH go on to develop an enlarged prostate. As the prostate grows, it can squeeze the urinary tube (urethra), causing urinary symptoms. These urinary difficulties are part of a group of symptoms called collectively lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

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The size of the prostate gland in patients with an enlarged prostate is not always directly related to a patient’s symptoms. Not all men with BPH have LUTS, and not all men with LUTS have BPH. About a third of men with BPH have symptoms that interfere with their quality of life.

Click the icon to see an image of BPH.

The Prostate Gland

Description of the Prostate Gland. The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It wraps around the urethra (the tube that carries urine through the penis).

Click the icon to see an image of the male reproductive anatomy.

Functions of the Prostate Gland. The prostate gland provides the following functions:

• The glandular cells produce a milky fluid. During ejaculation, the smooth muscles contract and squeeze this fluid into the urethra. Here, it mixes with sperm and other fluids to make semen.
• The prostate gland also contains an enzyme called 5 alpha-reductase that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, another male hormone with a major impact on the prostate.