What is another term for benign prostatic hypertrophy?

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a condition characterized by the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. This enlargement can lead to various urinary symptoms due to pressure on the urethra. Referring to this condition as prostate enlargement is accurate and widely accepted in both medical literature and everyday communication. Understanding that BPH specifically denotes a benign condition, as opposed to when the prostate may be affected by cancer or inflammation, helps reinforce the distinction between these different prostatic issues.

Recognizing this terminology is crucial for both patients and healthcare professionals, as it conveys important information about the nature of the condition, which is generally manageable and not life-threatening, unlike prostate cancer or inflammation. Terms like prostatitis refer to inflammation of the prostate, and prostate atrophy describes a decrease in the size of the prostate, neither of which directly represent the condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy.