title: Benign prostatic hyperplasia: a review of its histogenesis and natural history.
abstract: Although the exact etiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not well-defined, it is thought to occur as a 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 therapeutic intervention in his lifetime is approximately 40%. If left untreated, a significant number of symptomatic patients will remain stable or improve without adverse sequelae.
authors.affiliation: The Michigan Prostate Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Oesterling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology