Aim of review:

To investigate the role of heredity in the etiology of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Findings:

Hereditary BPH (H-BPH) is defined as the presence of history of surgery or hospitalization due to BPH in one or more members in the family of a BPH patient, except the patient himself. Approximately 9% of all BPH patients who require surgery are accepted to have H-BPH. H-BPH is believed to be inherited by a autosomal dominant mechanism. Twin brothers of monozygotic twins with BPH also develop BPH more common than those of diziygotic twins, which supports heredity-BPH interactions. The established clinical characteristics of H-BPH are a higher stroma/ epithelium ratio, larger glands and earlier need for surgery when compared to sporadic cases.

Conclusions:

BPH development is a multifactorial event. One of these factors is believed to be heredity. Family story should also be questioned in evaluation of BPH patients and when positive, necessary precautions regarding life-style manipulations should be taken or preemptive medications should be employed.

Keywords: Benign prostatic hyperplasia, heredity, hereditary BPH, familial BPH