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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Enlarged Prostate and Prostate Cancer?

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The main difference between an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) and prostate cancer lies in the nature of the condition and its potential to spread. Here are the key differences:

  • Nature of the condition: BPH is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, caused by factors such as aging, testosterone, and genetics. Prostate cancer, on the other hand, is the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells in the prostate gland.
  • Spread: BPH is benign, meaning it is not cancer and cannot spread. Prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
  • Symptoms: Both BPH and prostate cancer share similar symptoms, such as difficulty urinating, urgent need to urinate, and frequent urination. However, some symptoms of prostate cancer may include pain during urination, blood in the urine or semen, and bone pain, which are not typically associated with BPH.
  • Diagnosis: BPH is diagnosed using tests such as urinary flow tests, post-void residual volume tests, and digital rectal exams. Prostate cancer is diagnosed with a biopsy, where a tissue sample is examined in a lab to look for cancer cells.
  • Treatment: The treatment options for BPH and prostate cancer are different, as BPH is a noncancerous condition, while prostate cancer requires various treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy.

It is important for men experiencing symptoms related to their prostate to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis, as the conditions share similar risk factors and symptoms.

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  • What is the Difference Between Enlarged Prostate and Prostate Cancer?
  • Comparative Table: Enlarged Prostate vs Prostate Cancer

    • Comparative Table: Enlarged Prostate vs Prostate Cancer

    Here is a table comparing the differences between an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) and prostate cancer:

    Feature Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Prostate Cancer
    Definition BPH is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland caused by aging, testosterone, and genetics. Prostate cancer occurs when the cells in the prostate gland begin to grow out of control and develop into cancerous cells.
    Malignancy BPH is benign, meaning it is not cancer and cannot spread. Prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
    Symptoms Both BPH and prostate cancer have similar symptoms, such as an urgent need to urinate, trouble starting or stopping urination, and weak or interrupted urine flow. Symptoms often don't start until the cancer has grown large enough to put pressure on the urethra.
    Diagnosis Doctors use similar tests to diagnose both conditions, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal exam (DRE). More tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis.
    Risk Factor BPH is a risk factor for prostate cancer, with some studies showing an association between BPH and an increased risk of prostate cancer and bladder cancer. The risk of developing prostate cancer is higher in men with BPH.

    Keep in mind that many of the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer are similar, and the two conditions can be difficult to differentiate.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.