Men's health

Question 1

What is BPH

Answer 1

glandular and stromal hyperplasia of the transitional zone of the prostate. BPH typically causes lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) which are classically subdivided into storage LUTS (e.g. frequency, urgency, nocturia, incontinence) and voiding LUTS (weak stream, dribbling, dysuria, straining). In patients with BPH, digital rectal examination classically reveals a firm, smooth, enlarged and non-tender prostate. BPH is a common disorder affecting men over 50 years old.

Question 2

How does BPH prostate cancer present?

Answer 2

Prostate cancer is an important differential to consider in older men presenting with LUTS. However, as prostate cancer arises in the peripheral zone of the prostate, symptoms do not usually occur until patients have advanced disease. Patients have constitutional symptoms (e.g. fatigue, weight loss), suggesting progressive disease, cancer typically manifests with a nodular prostate.

Question 3

Common tumour markers and their asociations?

Answer 3

AFP liver, testicular
CEA colorectal
PSA prostate
Ca125 Ovarian
CA 15-3 breast cancer
HcG ovarian and testicular
Ca 19-9 Pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma