Prostatic Growth

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate, a common condition among men over 45 years of age. The degree of prostate enlargement varies from man to man as they age, and may constrict the urethra and cause difficulty urinating. If left untreated, BPH may lead to urinary tract infections, bladder or kidney damage, or incontinence.

Your doctor may evaluate your condition by asking you questions about the severity and type of symptoms you have and how much those symptoms impact your daily activities. Other tests such as a urine flow study, digital rectal exam, PSA blood test, cystoscopy, ultrasound or MRI of the prostate may be used to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment of BPH may depend on the severity of symptoms and range from no treatment to medication or surgery.

Approximately one third of patients suffering from BPH end up requiring surgical treatment, due to poor response to pharmacological treatments or medical complications derived from urinary tract obstruction. The most appropriate surgical technique depends on the size of the prostate and the characteristics of each patient.

Classically, smaller prostates (less than 60cc) are treated with a «Transurethral Resection of the Prostate» (TURP). The standard treatment of prostates larger than 60cc is open surgery, with the best results in the medium and long term but with great aggressiveness, bleeding and risk for the patient.

Several current laser techniques could replace TURP, but not open surgery. Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) is the only one recommended for larger prostates.