title: The origin and development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. An age-dependent process.
abstract: Although the exact cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not well defined, it is thought to occur as the result of epithelial-stromal interactions in the appropriate hormonal milieu. Benign prostatic hyperplasia originates in the periurethral and transition zones of the prostate in a microscopic (histologically identifiable) state as early as the third decade of life. With advancing age and the presence of androgens, approximately 50% of microscopic BPH will develop into macroscopic (palpably enlarged prostate) BPH. However, clinically significant BPH necessitating treatment will develop in only 50% of men with an enlarged prostate gland. In the United States, the estimated risk of a 50-year-old man undergoing a prostatectomy in his lifetime is approximately 25% to 40%. If left untreated, a significant number of symptomatic patients will remain stable or improve without adverse sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Oesterling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology