Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer are among the most prevalent conditions impacting the prostate, a vital gland within the male reproductive system.
Situated beneath the bladder, the prostate contributes to semen production. In younger males, it typically resembles the size of a walnut but tends to enlarge with age. The likelihood of encountering prostate-related issues also escalates as you grow older.
Given that both conditions affect the same gland, it‘s hardly surprising that we’re often asked the question “Can BPH turn into prostate cancer?”
It’s reassuring to know that while it’s possible to experience both conditions, the presence of one does not precipitate the other.
Nevertheless, some symptoms and risk factors overlap between the two conditions.
In benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the term "benign" denotes its non-cancerous nature. "Hyperplasia" indicates an increase in the quantity of (non-cancerous) cells. BPH is alternatively known as an enlarged prostate.
The exact cause of an enlarged prostate is not fully understood, but age is believed to be a contributing factor. Testosterone, the primary male hormone, naturally decreases with age.
In addition to testosterone, your body produces smaller amounts of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the female hormone estrogen. Some researchers speculate that as testosterone levels decline, there is a relative increase in estrogen and DHT. This shift may trigger the proliferation of prostate cells.
Primary risk factors for BPH encompass male gender and advanced age, with occurrences being rare among those under 40. By ages 51 to 60, approximately half of men are affected by BPH, a figure that may escalate to impacting as many as 90% of men beyond the age of 80.
Additional risk factors for BPH comprise:
The onset of cancer
Cancer begins when cells undergo changes in their DNA, leading to the abnormal growth of cells beyond control. The specific triggers for this process in prostate cells remain unclear.
Much like BPH, the primary risk factors for prostate cancer include being male and advancing age, with individuals aged 50 and older facing the highest risk. Approximately 1 out of every 8 men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetimes.
Other risk factors include:
Shared symptoms between BPH and prostate cancer include:
Distinct symptoms of BPH include:
Additional symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
Currently, there is nothing to suggest a direct correlation between BPH and prostate cancer. This implies that individuals with BPH aren't inherently more prone to prostate cancer than those without BPH. Nonetheless, some individuals with BPH may eventually encounter prostate cancer. Therefore, it’s really important for individuals, regardless of BPH presence, to undergo routine prostate cancer screenings conducted by a urologist through PSA blood tests and DRE (digital rectal exams).
Both BPH and prostate cancer are prevalent conditions among men. Factors that may heighten the risk of developing BPH and prostate cancer include:
However, having an enlarged prostate by itself does not raise the risk of developing prostate cancer.
If your prostate is moderately enlarged and you're not experiencing bothersome symptoms, there's no immediate necessity to treat BPH. Unless troublesome symptoms emerge or your routine checkup reveals new developments, treatment may not be necessary.
When symptoms become problematic, there are several self-care measures to alleviate them, including:
Treatment for BPH may involve medications aimed at regulating prostate growth and alleviating symptoms. Some options include:
If medications prove ineffective, your physician may recommend minimally invasive procedures such as Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE).
Losing weight, engaging in consistent physical activity, consuming vegetables, moderating alcohol intake, using 5α-reductase inhibitors, avoiding excess weight, and decreasing fatty food consumption can lower the chances of developing histological and clinical BPH.
If your BPH is impacting your quality of life, it may be time to consider PAE. This minimally invasive non-surgical procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day and there is minimal downtime.
If you want your life to get back to normal, then PAE could be the treatment for you. Why not schedule a consultation with an experienced Board Certified Vascular and Interventional Radiologist at MINT STL and take the first step to get your life back on track?
