As its name suggests benign prostatic hyperplasia is a benign or non-malignant enlargement of the prostate gland and can generally be treated using drugs or with minor surgery. The first step however is to make sure that the problem is benign prostatic hyperplasia rather than another problem, like difficulties with the bladder or kidneys or a urinary tract infection.

Along with carrying out a check for a swollen prostate gland it is also essential to check for prostate cancer as, despite the fact that an enlarged prostate gland does not result in prostate cancer, it is possible for an enlarged prostate gland and prostate cancer to exist side-by-side.

Testing will generally involve a prostate exam, or digital rectal exam, together with an assessment of the symptoms reported by the patient and his medical history. Because the prostate gland is situated between the bladder and the rectum it is an easy matter for a doctor to insert a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the prostate gland for signs of enlargement or abnormality. The prostate exam is perhaps not the most pleasant of procedures but is more a case of being uncomfortable rather than painful.

It is also feasible for you to carry out a prostate exam yourself or for your partner to do this for you on a regular basis. In fact, a growing number of men find that this reasonably simple examination may be undertaken fairly easily every once in a while when having a shower. This examination can provide a great deal of peace of mind and allows any swelling to be found at a very early stage so that it can be treated.

Your doctor might also request a number of laboratory tests at this stage. These tests might include a blood test to determine PSA levels, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine together with a urine test.

Prostate specific antigen is present in the blood and is specific to the prostate gland with levels climbing a little bit in the case of an enlarged prostate and markedly in the case of prostate cancer.

The other tests are intended to detect the existence of a urinary tract infection or difficulties with the kidneys, both of which can result in symptoms that are similar to the symptoms found in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

In certain instances your doctor may also request additional tests like an ultrasound examination to determine the size of the prostate gland and measure the volume of urine present in the bladder, or a cystoscopy (an exam carried out with a thin and flexible scope) to evaluate the condition of the bladder and urethra.

If none of these tests produce conclusive results the doctor may request a biopsy in which a number of small samples of tissue are taken from the prostate gland for microscopic evaluation.