BPH Defined - Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Definition of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
By Matthew Schmitz, M.D., About.com
Updated: November 21, 2008
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
Filed In:Glossary
Definition: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that can cause urinary symptoms identical to prostate cancer. Similar to prostate cancer, BPH is common in older men and can cause an elevated PSA (prostate specific antigen) level. BPH is not cancer and cannot spread to other parts of the body.
The only way to definitively diagnose BPH or prostate cancer is with a biopsy of the prostate.

Also Known As: Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), enlarged prostate