Recognize the difference between the symptoms of prostate cancer and prostate swelling due to bph & bull; hello healthy

Swelling of the prostate is a condition commonly found in men aged 40-50 years and over. A swollen prostate can cause pain every time you urinate or after ejaculation. There are two health problems that can cause the prostate to swell: prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), aka benign prostate enlargement. The male prostate gland will continue to develop throughout his life. That is why older men are more at risk of developing an enlarged prostate.

Recognize the difference between prostate cancer and BPH so that you can get the right treatment.

Overview of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer occurs when prostate cells grow out of control, forming a tumor that pushes against and damages the surrounding tissue. The prostate itself is a gland the size of a walnut located under the bladder. The prostate produces seminal fluid which carries sperm.

DNA mutations can cause prostate cells to grow malignant and divide faster than normal cells, thus making them cancer cells. The cause of cancer cell DNA mutation is not known for sure, but generally it is triggered by aging factors. Its development can be accelerated by an unhealthy lifestyle, for example, rarely exercising, smoking, and a diet high in fat which can lead to obesity.

BPH at a glance

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is more commonly known as benign prostate enlargement, is also an enlarged prostate condition due to an overgrowth of prostate cells. The difference is, BPH is a type of non-cancerous tumor.

Although the cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia is still not known for sure, it is believed that changes in the balance of hormones and cell growth factors can lead to prostate enlargement.

What is the difference between prostate cancer and BPH?

The difference between prostate cancer and BPH is the type of tumor cell. Not all tumors are cancer and vice versa. Basically, tumors are abnormal cell growths in certain parts of the body. Tumors occur when the body's cells divide and grow excessively.

If the growth of these cells only occurs in certain parts of the body and does not spread, it is a benign tumor. Meanwhile, tumor cells that spread to other parts of the body are called malignant or cancerous tumors.

Prostate cancer occurs due to the growth of a malignant tumor in the prostate gland. Due to the malignant nature of the tumor, prostate cancer cells can grow very fast and spread to other parts of the body. Meanwhile, BPH is a growth of benign tumor cells (not cancerous). Benign tumor cells only grow and remain in one part of the body.

What are the different symptoms of prostate cancer and BPH?

A swollen prostate is a sign of cancer if the testicle feels solid and bumpy when touched. Other early accompanying symptoms include:

Urinating frequently, especially at night
Strong urge to urinate
Difficulty starting or stopping the flow of urine
Inability to urinate
Weak or reduced urine flow
Intermittent flow of urine
The feeling that the bladder is not completely empty
Burning or painful urination
Blood in the urine (hematuria) or semen
Pain during ejaculation

The symptoms caused by BPH may be similar to prostate cancer, namely increased frequency of urinating and frequent urination at night. In addition, other symptoms that may arise are:

Difficulty starting or stopping the flow of urine (dripping)
Weak urine flow
Feeling that the bladder is not completely empty after urinating
Difficulty emptying the bladder, such as a feeling of wanting to urinate after urinating, or having pain when urinating
Difficulty in holding urine, such as waking up at night to urinate, frequent urination, suddenly it is unbearable to urinate.
Pain when urinating
Fever above 38 ° C, chills
Body aches
Bloody or festering urine or semen

Swelling of the prostate due to cancer is usually more visible on the side of the prostate, while prostate that is swollen due to BPH is more visible in the middle.

How do you diagnose it?

The initial diagnosis of prostate cancer and BPH is done by means of a basic physical examination to check whether your prostate size is bigger than it should be or not.

Other methods such as CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and blood tests to measure PSA (prostate-specific antigen) and alkaline phosphatase levels can also be used to get an accurate diagnosis.

Prostate cancer and BPH are both characterized by higher blood levels of PSA and alkaline phosphatase. Then a biopsy can be done to detect the presence of cancer cells in your prostate gland sample.

We recommend that you consult with your doctor to determine the right diagnostic steps for your condition.