Benign prostatic hypertrophy is best described as which of the following?

Benign prostatic hypertrophy is best described as which of the following?

• A. Cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland
• B. Prostate cancer
• C. Inflammation of the prostate gland
• D. Noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland

Answer: (D)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia describes noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. “Benign” means it is not cancerous, while “hypertrophy/hyperplasia” refers to growth that increases the size of the gland—most often with aging. This enlargement can press on the urethra and cause lower urinary tract symptoms such as a weak urine stream, hesitancy, urgency, and nocturia. It is different from prostate cancer, which is a malignant process, and from prostatitis, which is inflammation of the gland. So the correct description is noncancerous enlargement of the prostate.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia describes noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. “Benign” means it is not cancerous, while “hypertrophy/hyperplasia” refers to growth that increases the size of the gland—most often with aging. This enlargement can press on the urethra and cause lower urinary tract symptoms such as a weak urine stream, hesitancy, urgency, and nocturia. It is different from prostate cancer, which is a malignant process, and from prostatitis, which is inflammation of the gland. So the correct description is noncancerous enlargement of the prostate.