• 1. Describe the features of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma

benign prostatic hyperplasia is the most common reason for older men to experience urinary symptoms such as dribbling and difficulty peeing or having to go more often than usual. this is because it is likely to grow around the urethral portion anterior to the prostate.

Prostatic carcinoma is a type of cancer, it most commonly grows on the postero-lateral portion of the prostate and so is not likely to cause urinary symptoms until it becomes more advanced, that is not to say it wont grow on a different section of the prostate such as the anterior aspect which would immediately cause urinary issues.

a rectal examination is usually conducted as a part of clinical practice when there is suspicion on of any prostatic cancer or abnormalities. the prostate should feel round and smooth however if it feel jaggy or rough that is indicitive of prostatic carcinoma and further tetsing should be done.

sometimes you can get a very small bit of latent prostatic carcinoma that does not need to be taken out as it lies dormant however usually prostatic cancer is treated immediately because of the risk of its metastasis to bone and other areas eg rectum.

BEGNIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

• is NOT premalignant and so does not cause cancer.
• usually full prostate is affected and so it does cause
• \obstructed urinary flow
• associated with infection (due to prostatic ducts which open into the urethra becomig blocked which can cause inflammation + ductal infection, or bladder infections caused due to the urinary retention because of the compressed urethra. (your urine doesn't completely flow out, which allows the normally harmless bacteria a chance to multiply and infect your urinary tract.)
• can cause ACUTE or CHRONIC urinary retention