Final answer:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer both cause symptoms related to urination due to their effect on the urethra, but while BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement, prostate cancer involves tumor growth and may require a biopsy for diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) present symptoms similar to those of prostate cancer, creating difficulty in urination due to the constriction of the urethra. Whereas prostate cancer may involve the growth of tumors causing urinary symptoms and potentially leading to metastasis, BPH involves non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Symptoms common to both conditions include frequent urination, a weak urinary stream, and a sensation that the bladder has not fully emptied. However, BPH is far more common and by age 60, about 40 percent of men experience some degree of BPH, with the prevalence rising to as much as 80 percent by age 80. Diagnosis of prostate cancer usually includes a medical history review, blood tests for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a rectal exam, and if necessary, a biopsy for definitive confirmation.