Benign Prostate Hyperplasia and Prostatic Tumor

Rising life expectancy has swollen the ranks of men of middle age and beyond. These individuals have a 43 % risk of symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and a 9 % chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Although not always life-threatening, prostate diseases are often associated with a significant reduction in quality of life not only for the sufferer but also for his partner. Men beyond middle age are increasingly reluctant to accept restrictions on their day-to-day activities as they grow older. As a consequence, prostate diseases are now acknowledged as an important determinant of men’s health and therefore worthy of proper scrutiny, treatment, and enhanced research. In this chapter, the role of imaging modalities in evaluation of prostate disorders in elderly is illustrated, with emphasis both on current clinical practice and on the evolving imaging modalities that will affect treatment in the future