CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL
An enlarged prostate, known as prostatic hypertrophy, is a common condition in men, especially with aging. This enlargement can be benign or malignant and may cause a variety of urinary symptoms that affect the patient’s quality of life.
An enlarged prostate can result from inflammation (prostatitis), benign growth (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH), or neoplasia (prostate carcinoma). Evaluating the symptoms, along with appropriate diagnostic tests, is essential to differentiate between these conditions and establish an appropriate treatment plan.
Pathology | Symptoms and Clinical Signs | Suspicion Diagnosis | Confirmatory Diagnosis |
Prostatitis | Dysuria, pelvic pain, urinary urgency, fever, general malaise | Clinical history, physical examination, digital rectal exam (DRE) | Urinalysis, urine culture, elevated PSA, transrectal ultrasound |
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) | Urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia, weak urinary stream, sensation of incomplete emptying | Clinical history, physical examination, DRE | PSA, transrectal ultrasound, uroflowmetry |
Prostate Carcinoma | Urinary symptoms similar to BPH, hematuria, bone pain in advanced cases, weight loss | Clinical history, physical examination, DRE, elevated PSA | Elevated PSA, prostate biopsy, transrectal ultrasound, multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) |
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