Benign prostatic hyperplasia: Case report of a 17-year-old

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is generally common in men older than 50 years of age but is extremely rare in childhood. In the literature to date, fewer than five cases have been reported under 18 years of age. Owing to the limited number of cases, the etiology and management of BPH in the first two decades is not clear.

We herein report a 17-year-old boy who presented with acute urinary retention due to BPH and was treated with endoscopic transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P).

A 17-year-old male patient with a history of intermittent hematuria was admitted elsewhere with acute urinary retention. An increase in prostate size was detected on digital rectal examination. Pelvic ultrasound revealed a large mass arising from the prostate and filling the bladder lumen. Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-Bx) was performed to exclude malignancy. After the documentation of benign prostate tissue in the histopathological analysis, the patient was referred to our clinic for further evaluation and management. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a 48 × 55 × 68 mm mass arising from the middle lobe of prostate and filling the bladder lumen (Figure) with an initial diagnosis of a non-ductal malignant tumor because of his age. Enlarged lymph nodes or any sign of metastasis were not detected. Re-examination of the previous biopsy specimens confirmed the absence of malignancy; therefore he underwent endoscopic treatment with TUR-P. Histopathological examination reported BPH. The postoperative 1-year follow-up was uneventful.

The patient was extensively evaluated with a suspicion of malignancy, especially rhabdomyosarcoma, which is more expected for this age group. Reviewing juvenile cases with BPH in the literature, two authors explained the possible etiologic factors of their cases as gonadotropin supplement therapy for undescended testes and the mother's utilization of a human chorionic gonadotropin-containing agent during pregnancy to prevent spontaneous abortion. Our case had no history of drug intake, endocrinologic abnormality, or any other possible relevant factor. Owing to the limited number of cases, there is not enough data to understand the etiology and also no consensus on the treatment of BPH in the adolescents. Therefore, experiences gained from adult cases guide the pediatric treatment modalities.

Despite the fact that BPH is very rare in childhood, one should keep it in mind in the differential diagnosis of acute urinary retention and malignant prostate diseases. The endoscopic method is the treatment of choice in BPH.