It may seem harmless to have a late night bathroom break. A weak flow or dribbling urination might just be a normal part of a person’s aging process. However, many men will be concerned about their urinary changes if they begin to happen more frequently, and ask themselves: is it an enlarged prostate or is there something more serious going on?
It is important to learn about BPH vs prostate cancer, as the two affect the prostate in very different ways. BPH is a growth of the prostate gland thatvis benign. Prostate cancer is when cells of the prostate develop unusually. Their signs, however, can overlap and it can be unreliable to self-diagnose.
What’s the Difference between BPH and Prostate Cancer?
The older one gets, the more common benign prostatic hyperplasia is. A “big” prostate may constrict the urethra and block the stream of urine. It may lead to urgency or frequent urination, weak stream, and the sensation of incomplete bladder emptying.
Prostate cancer is a different disease. It is possible for cancer cells to develop in the prostate and in some cases to spread beyond the prostate. In some cases, prostate cancer does not have any symptoms, so it’s not always a good idea to use a person’s sense of his/her body to determine whether or not they should be evaluated.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that if you are thinking about BPH vs prostate cancer, that an enlarged prostate doesn’t always indicate prostate cancer. Men may develop BPH or prostate cancer or both.
Do the Signs of BPH Indicate Prostate Cancer?
Yes, and it’s where it gets tricky.
Urinary changes that are both conditions can include:
- Decreased or interrupted urination.
- Difficulty starting urination
- Frequent urination
- Need to go to the washroom at night while sleeping
- Trouble emptying the bladder
- Dribbling after urination
All of these symptoms don’t necessarily point to cancer. Lower urinary tract symptoms are the most frequent symptom of BPH owing to the fact that the enlarged prostate may block the normal passage of urine.
But if someone has blood in his urine or semen, a persistent pain in the pelvis or back or bones, these symptoms should not be overlooked. There are a number of causes for these symptoms, but they should be medically evaluated.
Does High PSA Mean You Have Cancer?
Not necessarily. Prostate cells make a protein named prostate-specific antigen. An increased PSA level can also be a result of other prostate conditions such as BPH and prostatitis, which can predispose a man towards prostate cancer. This does not imply that one PSA number should be considered a diagnosis of cancer. The doctor takes into account the PSA result in the context of age, symptoms, family history, prostate size and examination results and changes in PSA over time.
Additional testing might be repeat PSA testing, a digital rectal examination, prostate MRI, or a prostate biopsy, if the result continues to be concerning.
How Are BPH and Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?
Typically, the assessment begins with a discussion of urinary symptoms and medical history. A doctor can conduct a physical exam and digital rectal exam (DRE). However, urine tests and PSA testing might also be suggested.
If someone is suspected to have BPH, doctors might check urine flow, bladder emptying and prostate size. These results may be used in deciding the degree of involvement of the urinary system caused by the enlarged prostate.
In cases where prostate cancer is suspected, an MRI can be used to locate suspicious areas. Next, a prostate biopsy may be recommended to sample tissue for a microscopic examination to determine if cancer cells are present.
Consulting a reputed urologist in Hyderabad can be useful when urinary symptoms persist to determine if the symptoms are due to BPH, infection, prostatitis, or other prostate problem.
When Should You See a Urologist?
Don’t dismiss increased urinary problems as a part of ageing. If you are having any of these problems like persistent difficulty in urination, urinating more frequently at night, decreasing urine stream, blood in the urine or semen, unexplained pain in the back, hips or pelvis, consult with an urologist.
If the loss of the ability to urinate suddenly occurs, seek medical care. Urinary retention can be severe, and may even affect the kidney in some cases.
BPH vs Prostate Cancer: What Should You Do?
The difference is simple: BPH is a benign enlargement whereas prostate cancer is growth of cancerous cells. However, symptoms can’t be used to reliably distinguish them.
The positive news is that appropriate assessment can rule out the cause and direct the appropriate treatment. When urinary symptoms are interfering with your life, don’t just guess from the symptoms, consult a urologist and have this condition adequately assessed.
