Final answer:
An enlarged, nontender, firm, and smooth prostate gland with a palpable central groove suggests benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition in aging men that is not cancerous but requires medical evaluation due to symptom similarity with prostate cancer.
Step-by-step explanation:
On palpation, if the prostate gland is enlarged, nontender, firm, and smooth with a palpable central groove, this assessment finding typically indicates benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is a common condition as men age and involves the noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. While it does not necessarily lead to cancer, the symptoms of BPH and prostate cancer can be similar, necessitating further medical evaluation for an accurate diagnosis.