Please note - this EPG Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Knowledge Centre is for Doctors and other Health Care Professionals.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a progressive disease defined histologically and characterized by stromal and epithelial cell hyperplasia beginning in the periurethral zone of the prostate.^1,2 The chief complaint of the patient with BPH is usually bothersome LUTS typified by urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, decreased and intermittent force of stream and the sensation of incomplete bladder emptying.

BPH is often associated with enlargement of the prostate (BPE). However the relationship between BPH, LUTS (Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms) and BPE is complex and not all patients with BPH will have LUTS or BPE and also (BPE) may exist in the absence of LUTS.

BPH is one of the most common conditions affecting older men and can cause major disruption in everyday life (Marks et al 2006).

The presence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) although not specific or exclusive of BPH are characteristic of this disease.

The management of BPH should focus on the long-term improvement of patients' symptoms, improving quality of life, and relieving or preventing the development of serious secondary conditions. Options range from no active treatment (termed 'watchful waiting'), through drug therapy, to surgical intervention.

Guidelines for the management of BPH are also available

Enter the Benign prostatic hyperplasia Knowledge Centre

What’s in this Benign prostatic hyperplasia Knowledge Centre?

Understanding BPH: Definition | The Prostate |BPH Definition | BPH Clinical Features | Progression of BPH | Clinical Features | Prevalence and Burden | Management of BPH: Watchful Waiting | Phytotherapy | Pharmacotherapy | Surgical Interventions | Other Minimally Invasive Treatments: including Thermotherapy | Dutasteride: Product Characteristics | Efficacy Data | Safety and Tolerability Data | Effect on PSA | Additional Resources: BPH Guidelines| References | 5a-reductase | a-blocker | acute urinary retention (AUR) | anabolic steroid | androgen | anti-androgen | anticholinergic drugs | apoptosis benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) | cholestyramine | clastogen | cytochrome P450 | diazepam | digital rectal examination (DRE) | digoxin |dihydrotestosterone (DHT) | diltiazem | doxazosin | dribbling/terminal dribbling | Dysuria | epididymis | finasteride (Proscar) | frequency | gynaecomastia | haematuria | haematospermia | hesitancy | hydronephrosis | impotence | incontinence | indinavir |Incomplete voiding/emptying | intermittency | isoenzyme | itraconozole | ketoconazole | libido | malaise | mutagen | nefazodon | neoadjuvant therapy | nocturia | oestrogens | phenytoin | phytotherapy | prostate-specific antigen (PSA) | prostatectomy | Qmax | retrograde ejaculation | ritonavir | semen | seminal vesicles | spermatogenesis | tamsulosin | terazosin | testosterone | urgency | urosepsis | verapamil | volume of distribution | warfarin | watchful waiting | weak urinary stream

References
1. Lee, C., Cockett, A., Cussenot, K., Griffiths, K., Isaacs, W., and Schalken. “Regulation of Prostate Growth”. In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Consultation on BenignProstatic Hyperplasia. Edited by C. Chatelain, L. Denis, K.T. Foo, S. Khoury, and J. McConnell. United Kingdom: Health Publications Ltd., chapt. 3, 79-106, 2001.
2. McNeal, J. E. Origin and evolution of benign prostatic enlargement. Invest Urol, 15: 340, 1978.