A symptom complex resulting from compression or obstruction of the urethra due to benign prostatic hypertrophy.

A symptom complex resulting from compression or obstruction of the urethra due to benign prostatic hypertrophy.

• A. Prostatitis
• B. Nocturia
• C. Prostatism
• D. Prostate Cancer

Answer: (C)

The main idea is a symptom complex caused by urethral narrowing from benign prostatic enlargement. As the prostate grows, it compresses the urethra, so the bladder has to work harder to void, producing a mix of obstructive and irritative urinary symptoms. These include weak or hesitant stream, difficulty starting, straining, incomplete emptying, plus increased frequency, urgency, and often nocturia. Nocturia fits this picture but on its own isn’t the full syndrome. Prostatitis is an inflammatory condition with pelvic pain and sometimes fever, not the mechanical obstruction from BPH, and prostate cancer is a malignant process that isn’t defined by this obstruction pattern. The term that best describes this symptom complex is prostatism.

The main idea is a symptom complex caused by urethral narrowing from benign prostatic enlargement. As the prostate grows, it compresses the urethra, so the bladder has to work harder to void, producing a mix of obstructive and irritative urinary symptoms. These include weak or hesitant stream, difficulty starting, straining, incomplete emptying, plus increased frequency, urgency, and often nocturia. Nocturia fits this picture but on its own isn’t the full syndrome. Prostatitis is an inflammatory condition with pelvic pain and sometimes fever, not the mechanical obstruction from BPH, and prostate cancer is a malignant process that isn’t defined by this obstruction pattern. The term that best describes this symptom complex is prostatism.