As its name clearly suggests benign prostatic hyperplasia is a benign or non-malignant swelling of the prostate gland and can usually be treated using drugs or with minor surgery. However, the first step is to verify that the problem is in fact benign prostatic hyperplasia and that your symptoms are not being caused by something else, like a urinary tract infection or difficulties with the kidneys or bladder.



At the same time as checking for a swollen prostate it is also essential to look for prostate cancer because, in spite of the fact that an enlarged prostate does not produce prostate cancer, it is possible for both an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer to be found together.

Testing frequently involves a prostate examination, or digital rectal exam, along with an evaluation of the symptoms reported by the patient and his medical history. Because the prostate gland is situated between the rectum and the bladder it is easy for a doctor or nurse to put a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum while the patient is lying on his side to inspect the prostate gland for signs of swelling or abnormality. This is possibly not the most pleasant experience but is more a case of being embarrassing rather than painful.

It is also possible for you to undertake a prostate exam yourself or for a partner to do this for you on a regular basis. In fact, a lot of men find that this reasonably simple examination may be undertaken fairly easily every now and again while having a shower. This examination can provide a great deal of peace of mind and can also allow any problem to be found at an early stage so that it can be treated.

It is also usual at this point for the doctor to request a number of laboratory tests. These could include a blood test to check PSA levels, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine together with a urine test.

Prostate specific antigen is found in the blood and is specific to the prostate gland with levels being raised slightly in the case of a swollen prostate and quite markedly in the case of prostate cancer.

The other tests are designed to point up the existence of a urinary tract infection or difficulties with the kidneys, both of which may produce symptoms which are similar to the symptoms experienced in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

In some instances your doctor might also request additional tests like an ultrasound examination to determine the size of the prostate gland and measure the volume of urine in the bladder, or a cystoscopy (an examination making use of a thin flexible scope) to check the condition of the bladder and urethra.

When these tests do not produce clear results the doctor might request a prostate biopsy in which one or more tiny tissue samples are taken from the prostate gland for microscopic examination.