The prostate is an exocrine gland in the male reproductive system. Its function is to produce and secrete an alkaline fluid, an essential part of semen. The prostate may be the source of several health-related problems, out of which the most important ones are benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.
In benign prostatic hyperplasia, the prostate often enlarges (in a benign way) to the point where urination becomes difficult. Symptoms include needing to urinate often (frequency) or taking a while to get started (hesitancy). Treatment involves lifestyle changes, medications, minimally invasive procedures, or even surgeries removing the prostate.
Prostate cancer is a life-threatening disease, one of the most common cancers in men worldwide, and a significant cause of preterm death. It usually develops without symptoms or with symptoms similar to BPH (frequency, hesitancy). The diagnosis is made based on the results of a prostate biopsy. The treatment is based on the surgical approach (radical prostatectomy) or radiotherapy. Additionally, hormone therapy and chemotherapy are used.
It's also worth mentioning that those two diseases – prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia – may coexist in one patient.