The Origin of BPH and Prostate Cancer in Different Prostate Zones and the Impact on the Incidence of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Update of the Literature for Urologists and Clinicians

Abstract

Background and objectives: Numerous clinical studies over recent years have reported an inverse relationship between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) size and the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa), leading to the clinical hypothesis that the expanding BPH zone damages the glandular tissue where PCa predominately develops. This systematic review aims to establish a historical basis and reference on the zonal origin of BPH and prostate cancer (PCa) within the prostate.Methods: Using the PRISMA guidelines, an in-depth review was conducted of studies published in the PubMed database between January 1978 and November 2022. Due to clinical heterogeneity in type of study designs, meta-analysis was not possible, and a narrative review approach was adopted. Results:Thirty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria, all of which showed that BPH predominantly develops within the transition zone (TZ) and that PCa predominantly develops in the peripheral zone (PZ) of the prostate respectively. This report provides a systemic overview of the historical evolution on the concept of zonal origin for BPH and PCa. The listed studies support the current clinical understanding that BPH mainly originates in the TZ and that the majority of PCa originates in the PZ of the prostate. Conclusions:To our knowledge, this is the first systemic review on the zonal origin of BPH and PCa and is an important step in the context of evidence-based medicine. This review should encourage other clinicians and investigators to further study the dynamic interactions between the different prostate zones, in particular between the TZ and the PZ, and whether BPH size may be protective against development of PCa.