Enlarged prostate (BPH)
Does an Enlarged Prostate Turn Into Cancer? Key Differences
Benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer are different diseases. One does not cause the other — here is how they are told apart in the office.
Dr. Bruno Rubí López
Urólogo · Céd. esp. 12831401 · Hospital Ángeles Puebla
May 9, 2026 5 min read
It is one of the most common questions in the office: does an enlarged prostate turn into cancer? The short answer is no. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer are different diseases, and having one does not cause the other. Here we explain the key differences and why an evaluation is still worthwhile.
They are two different diseases
BPH is a benign growth that affects the central part of the prostate, around the urethra, which is why it causes urinary symptoms. Prostate cancer, by contrast, usually starts in the peripheral zone of the gland and causes no symptoms in its early stages. Having an enlarged prostate does not raise a man’s risk of developing cancer.
Why they get confused
Both conditions become more common with age and can coexist in the same patient. In addition, some urinary symptoms can appear in both. That is why, when urinary problems arise, the urologist evaluates both possibilities.
How they are told apart in the office
The evaluation includes a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. If the findings warrant it, the urologist may order further studies, such as an MRI or a biopsy, to confirm or rule out cancer. Most of the time, the symptoms are explained by BPH.
The practical takeaway
Having an enlarged prostate should not cause fear of cancer, but it is a good reason to see a urologist: it lets you treat the symptoms and, at the same time, carry out the timely screening recommended from a certain age.
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Learn about this service →Frequently asked questions
Does an enlarged prostate raise the risk of cancer?+
No. Benign hyperplasia does not increase the risk of prostate cancer; they are independent diseases.
Can I have BPH and cancer at the same time?+
Yes, because both are common with age and can coexist. That is why a urology evaluation assesses both.
How do I know if my symptoms are BPH or cancer?+
Only the urologist can tell them apart through the digital rectal exam, PSA, and, if needed, further studies. Symptoms alone cannot tell you.