Which zone in the prostate is primarily associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is primarily associated with the transitional zone of the prostate. This zone surrounds the urethra and is the region where the majority of glandular hyperplastic tissue develops in response to hormonal changes, particularly the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

In the context of BPH, the transitional zone undergoes enlargement, leading to the compression of the urethra and resultant urinary symptoms such as increased urinary frequency, difficulty in urination, and incomplete bladder emptying. Understanding that BPH predominantly affects the transitional zone is crucial for both diagnosis and the management of the condition, as treatments often focus on alleviating the obstruction caused by this enlargement.

Focusing on the other zones, the peripheral zone is generally where prostate cancer is most commonly found, the central zone has a lower association with benign hyperplasia, and the anterior zone primarily consists of fibromuscular tissue, which does not contribute to hyperplastic changes in the way the transitional zone does.