Final answer:
BPH typically causes urinary symptoms like a frequent urge to urinate, weak stream, and sensation of incomplete bladder emptying. It is treated with medication or surgery, depending on severity. BPH symptoms can resemble those of prostate cancer but are distinct medical conditions and both have different treatment approaches.
Step-by-step explanation:
With benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), patients typically experience a variety of lower urinary tract symptoms due to the constriction of the urethra. These symptoms often include a frequent and intense urge to urinate, a weak stream, and a feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied. BPH is a common condition, affecting approximately 40 percent of men by age 60 and up to 80 percent by age 80. Treatment for BPH ranges from medication to relieve mild to moderate symptoms to surgery to remove a portion of the prostate tissue in severe cases.
Despite having symptoms that can be similar to those of prostate cancer, there is no direct link between BPH and prostate cancer. Prostate cancer involves additional symptoms such as blood in urine, painful urination, and can eventually affect sexual function. Prostate cancer diagnosis includes medical history, a blood test, and a rectal exam to palpate the prostate and possibly a biopsy if an unusual mass is found.