Benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer

The most common pathologic conditions of the prostate are benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. Both of these conditions have age as a risk factor. Therefore the importance of understanding their impact in the ageing male is clear. In particular, both of these conditions can have an effect on quality of life in the ageing male. This chapter will aim to evaluate the background and diagnostic differences between the two conditions, with a focus on the benefits and pitfalls of prostate-specific antibody (PSA) testing. Furthermore, the effects of both these common conditions, including their impact on the male lower urinary tract, are explored. Subsequently, a focused outline of the treatment options for both BPH and prostate cancer will be presented. The discussion will focus on mechanisms of optimizing treatment options in an elderly population. Finally, the potential complications of different treatments for prostate cancer will be explored.