King Charles III: What is an enlarged prostate, is it cancer and how is it treated?

King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer, however Buckingham Palace has said it is not related to his enlarged prostate.

His Royal Highness was treated by doctors for the latter earlier this month. The enlargement is said to be benign, however it has now been announced he has cancer.

Here's everything you need to know about enlarged prostates, how they are treated and whether it is cancerous.

What is it and symptoms

According to the NHS, benign prostate enlargement is a growth of the prostate, which sits between the penis and bladder. The condition can affect how the patient urinates, as it puts pressure on the bladder and the urethra.

Symptoms include having problems with starting to pee, needing to urinate more frequently and having trouble emptying your bladder.

Is it cancerous?

An enlarged prostate can cause men to worry about whether it is cancerous or not. But the NHS says that in most cases, it is not.

Enlarged prostates are not considered to be a major threat to a person's health, nor does it increase the risk of developing prostate cancer in the future.

How is it treated?

If you have mild symptoms, you will not need any treatment for an enlarged prostate. Instead, doctors will likely just keep an eye on it, but lifestyle changes such as drinking less alcohol and fizzy drinks, exercising regularly and not drinking in the evening could be advised.

In more serious cases, medicine can be prescribed to reduce the size of the prostate, relieving some of the pressure on a person's bladder. Surgery, such as what King Charles has had, is only for cases where the prostate has not responded to medication.

Does King Charles have cancer?

Today (5 February), Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles has cancer. The Palace has not confirmed the type but have said it is not prostate cancer.

In a briefing, it said: “His Majesty has been treated for benign prostate enlargement. It was during this intervention that a separate issue of concern was noted and subsequently diagnosed as a form of cancer. This second condition will now receive appropriate treatment.

“No further details are being shared at this stage, but His Majesty is receiving expert care and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”

The briefing note added: “His Majesty is grateful to his medical team for their expert care and swift intervention, is wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”