Clinicopathological characteristics of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer in a University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer are common pathologies of the prostate which could lead to morbidity and quality of life problems in urological patients. The study aimed to determine and compare the demographic, clinical, and pathologic characteristics of patients histologically diagnosed with these pathologies in our center. Methods: This was a prospective study carried out in 105 consecutive patients with the histological diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer over a period of 1 year. Information on demographic details, clinical presentation, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen level, and histopathologic data was obtained. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer were diagnosed in 71.4% and 28.6% of the patients, respectively. Patients with prostate cancer had a significantly higher prostate-specific antigen (P = 0.001) and prostate volume (P = 0.005) than those with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Difficulty in urination was the most common presenting symptom in both pathologies (90% vs. 92%, P = 0.713), whereas the occurrence of erectile dysfunction was significantly higher in patients with prostate cancer (50% vs. 24%, P = 0.010). The mean Gleason's score in the patients was 7, and the majority of the prostate cancer patients (96.7%) had advanced disease. There was associated histologic prostatitis in 10.7% of patients with nodular hyperplasia. Conclusion: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is more commonly diagnosed than prostate cancer in our center. Except for erectile dysfunction, the burden of other complications is similar in these patients. There is the need for community advocacy to encourage early presentation in those with lower literacy level, especially patients with prostate cancer, in order to reduce the morbidities associated with the disease.