Hypertrophy

What is Benign Prostate Hypertrophy?

Benign prostate hypertrophy, otherwise known as prostate cancer, occurs when the prostate gland grows and compresses the urethra, causing the partial blockage of urine flow.

What are the symptoms of Benign Prostate Hypertrophy?

Common symptoms of benign prostate hypertrophy may include: weak urine stream; difficulty starting urination; stopping and starting again while urinating;  dribbling at the end of urination; frequent need to urinate; increased frequency of urination at night; urgent need to urinate; not being able to completely empty the bladder; blood in the urine; and urinary tract infection.

What Causes Benign Prostate Hypertrophy?

As the prostate grows naturally, the gland may compress the urethra causing urine blockage.

What Increases My Risk of Developing Benign Prostate Hypertrophy?

Factors that may increase the risk of developing benign prostate hypertrophy may include: heredity; national origin; and marital status.

How is Benign Prostate Hypertrophy Diagnosed?

For your doctor to diagnose benign prostate hypertrophy, he or she will begin by asking you some routine questions and will probably include a digital rectal exam, urine test and/or prostate-specific antigen blood test. If any of this suggests the possibility of prostate enlargement, your doctor may use the following to determine the diagnosis: questionnaire; urinary flow test; post-void residual volume test; ultrasound; urodynamic studies; cystoscopy; and intravenous pyelogram.

How Benign Prostate Hypertrophy Treated?

Depending on the severity of the condition, benign prostate hypertrophy may not need treatment, or may need medications, nonsurgical therapies, prostatic stents, or surgical procedures.

Medications for Benign Prostate Hypertrophy

Common medications to treat benign prostate hypertrophy include: Hytrin, Cardura, Flomax, Proscar, and Propecia.