You’re getting up three times a night to use the bathroom. Your urine stream isn’t what it used to be. Maybe it takes longer to get started. If you’re a man over 40, you might wonder: Is this just an enlarged prostate, or could it be prostate cancer?
Symptoms alone can’t always answer this question.
At Golden Gate Urology in Berkeley, California, our urologists diagnose and treat both benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. Understanding what these conditions have in common — and how they differ — can help you know when it’s time to get checked.
BPH is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. As it grows, it can press against the urethra and interfere with urine leaving your bladder.
Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells in the prostate grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. Unlike BPH, prostate cancer may spread beyond the prostate.
One important reassurance: Having BPH doesn’t increase your risk of prostate cancer. The two conditions can occur in the same man, and some symptoms overlap.
You shouldn’t try to diagnose yourself based on bathroom habits.
Difficulty starting urination and a weak or stop-and-start stream are classic BPH symptoms. But prostate cancer can also cause difficulty urinating or a weak stream.
A gradual change often points to BPH, but the symptom alone can’t tell you the cause.
Frequent urination — especially waking repeatedly during the night — is common with BPH. You might also experience urgency or feel like your bladder hasn’t completely emptied.
These symptoms frequently point to an enlarged prostate or another urinary problem rather than cancer, but persistent changes deserve evaluation.
Blood gets our attention for good reason. Blood in the urine can occur with BPH, but it can also have many other causes. Blood in semen is among the possible symptoms of prostate cancer.
Neither automatically means you have cancer. Both warrant a conversation with one of our experienced urologists, not a wait-and-see approach.
BPH primarily causes urinary symptoms. Persistent pelvic discomfort or unexplained pain in your back, hips, thighs, or bones isn’t typical of uncomplicated BPH and can occur with more advanced prostate cancer.
Of course, there are many noncancerous reasons for these symptoms. The important thing is not to assume your prostate symptoms are BPH when something new develops.
Early prostate cancer often causes no noticeable symptoms. That means waiting for difficulty urinating, pain, or another warning sign isn’t a reliable way to catch it early.
Your age, family history, personal risk factors, and previous test results can help us determine whether prostate cancer screening makes sense for you. Decide on PSA screening with our team after discussing its potential benefits and limitations.
You might assume a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test can tell you whether you have BPH or cancer. Unfortunately, it isn’t that black-and-white.
Both normal and cancerous prostate cells produce PSA. BPH, prostatitis, and other noncancerous factors can raise your PSA level, as can prostate cancer. An elevated result doesn’t automatically mean cancer.
Instead, PSA gives us information to consider alongside your symptoms, medical history, and physical examination, as well as how your PSA changes over time.
When further investigation is appropriate, our team may use testing such as ultrasound, MRI fusion, PET-CT imaging, or a prostate biopsy to reach an accurate diagnosis.
The good news is that both conditions have treatment options — but those options are different.
Mild BPH may only need monitoring or medication. When symptoms become more troublesome, we offer minimally invasive treatments, including UroLift®, Rezūm™, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP).
Prostate cancer treatment depends on factors such as how aggressive the cancer is and whether it’s spread. Our team offers personalized options, including active surveillance, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, cryosurgery, chemotherapy, and robotic prostatectomy.
So, is it BPH or prostate cancer? Don’t let similar symptoms leave you guessing.
If your urinary habits have changed, you’ve developed other concerning symptoms, or you have questions about prostate cancer screening, schedule an appointment today at Golden Gate Urology in Berkeley.
