43. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

I. Definition
A. Enlargement of the prostate gland; a condition commonly seen in men older than age 50
B. Progressive condition that can cause obstruction of the urethra with interference in urine flow
C. BPH is a hyperplastic process that results from an increase in cell numbers.
II. Etiology/incidence
A. Incidence is age related.
1. Men ages 41 to 50: 20%
2. Men ages 51 to 60: 50%
3. Men older than age 80: more than 90%
B. Exact cause is unknown.
C. The condition may be a response of the prostate gland to androgen hormones over time.
D. Dietary fat may play a role.
IV. Laboratory findings
A. Urinalysis
1. Pyuria suggests infection.
2. Hematuria may be a sign of malignancy.
B. Urine culture to rule out urinary tract infection if irritative symptoms are present
C. BUN/creatinine (CR) to assess for renal insufficiency
D. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
1. Considered optional, yet most practitioners include it in the initial evaluation
2. Values greater than 10 ng/ml suggest prostate cancer.
3. Because an overlap is seen between levels seen in BPH and in prostate cancer, its use is controversial.
E. Transrectal ultrasound with a palpable nodule or elevated PSA
Mar 3, 2017 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on 43. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

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