In 106 male human cadavers the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia was found to be 63%. The present review confirmed age to be a determinant factor of the first order in the development of adenoma of the prostate. A delay in the presentation of BPH was observed in the cirrhotic alcoholic. Surprisingly, prostatic hyperplasia was not observed in those who had died from genitourinary, gastric or malignant hematologic diseases. No evidence of BPH was observed in 68.4% of patients who had died of cancer.