Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an extremely common condition, especially among older men, which refers to the proliferation of smooth muscle and epithelial cells within the prostatic transition zone, resulting in an increase in the size of the prostate gland.[1] The prostatic tissue is composed of two elements: a glandular element composed of secretory ducts and acini; and a stromal element composed primarily of collagen and smooth muscle. The progression of BPH involves two phases, of which the first phase includes the increase of BPH nodules in the periurethral area and the second phase includes a significant increase in the size of the glandular nodules.[2,3]Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay BPH causes compression of the urethra and can present as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).[4] LUTS include urinary frequency, urgency, weak flow, and nocturia and often have a negative impact on quality of life (QOL), commonly in older men. [5]. In more severe cases, patients may develop urinary retention, kidney blockage (hydronephrosis), or kidney failure.[6] The excat etiology of BPH is not known, but the hypothesis has been proposed that BPH may be caused by an "awakening" of BPH induction processes in adulthood due to the similarity between BPH and morphogenesis embryonic prostate. [1,7]According to prostate needle biopsy analysis, the most common benign lesions observed were BPH, followed by BPH with chronic prostatitis and chronic prostatitis alone. Most benign lesions were observed between 60 and 79 years of age, while malignant lesions were observed between 70 and 79 years of age. [8,9,10,11] The prevalence of BPH increases with age. The histological prevalence of BPH has been observed to be 8%, 50% and 80% in the 4th, 6th and 9th decades of life, respectively.[12]Prostatic hyperplasia is associated with numerous genetic factors. Prostate gland growth is controlled by circulating androgens and androgen receptor (AR)-mediated intracellular steroid signaling pathways. Testosterone (major androgen in males) is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the hormone 5-a reductase in prostate cells. DHT is a potent stimulator of prostate growth and plays a central role in the pathogenesis of BPH.[13,14,15] There is no variation in the incidence of histological BPH (diagnosed by biopsy or autopsy) among all racial groups, but the incidence of clinical BPH (diagnosed by symptoms and clinical tests) is higher among Africans and Americans than among Asians. Please note: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Diet is a potential modifiable risk factor. Asian populations are associated with diets rich in soy, which are rich in phytoestrogens (e.g.: genistenin), which have an inhibitory effect on BPH. Increasing total energy intake, milk and dairy products, red meat, cereals, bread and starch increases the risk of BPH while fruits, vegetables (particularly carotenoids), vitamin D and vitamin A reduce the risk.[16,17] Other modifiable risk factors may include HTN, serum lipids and lipoproteins, and smoking.[18]