BPH is not simply a case of too many prostate cells. Prostate growth involves hormones, occurs in different types of tissue (e.g. muscular, glandular), and affects each man differently. Because of these differences, treatment will vary in each case.
Once prostate growth begins to compromise urinary flow, it often continues unless medical therapy is started. The prostate grows in two ways. In one type of growth, cells multiply around the urethra (urinary drainage tube) and squeeze it, much like squeezing a straw. The second type of growth is middle-lobe prostate growth in which cells grow into the urethra and the bladder outlet area. This type of growth typically requires surgery or office thermotherapy to restore normal urinary flow.
You can find additional information about BPH at: SexHealthMatters.org
Incidence And Prevalence
It is difficult to establish incidence and prevalence of BPH because research groups often use different criteria to define the condition. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), BPH affects more than 50% of men over the age of 60 and as many as 90% of men over the age of 70.
Dr. Cornell has facilities to diagnose and treat BPH.
These services include:
- Urodynamic Testing
- Medical Treatment
- Office Thermotherapy
- Surgical Treatment
Urodynamic Testing
A full in-office evaluation of bladder function used to diagnose overactive bladder (OAB), urinary incontinence, bladder outlet obstruction, and to direct treatment options.
Medical Treatment
There are several medical and surgical treatment options for men with BPH, depending on the severity of symptoms. If symptoms do not threaten the man’s health, he may choose not to be treated. If symptoms are severe enough to cause discomfort, interfere with daily activities, or are associated with lower urinary tract infection, treatment is usually recommended.
Medications taken before bedtime can improve urinary flow and, over time, actually shrink the prostate and promote low-pressure, complete bladder emptying.
Office Thermotherapy
Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) Prostiva radiofrequency thermotherapy often represents the next step in BPH treatment when medication fails to relieve obstructive symptoms. The procedure is performed in the office in about 20 minutes. Typically, only local anesthesia with mild oral sedation is required for the office procedure.
Find additional information regarding BPH and Prostiva at: Urologix.com
TUNA can be used in patients with metal implants and cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators who may not be candidates for microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) or other minimally invasive options. TUNA is designed to permanently reduce BPH symptoms in one treatment session and is the modality which I have chosen to perform in my office, given its excellent treatment outcome and the absence of irritative voiding symptoms or bladder thermal injury which complicates other treatment options.
Surgical Treatment
PlasmaButton™ vaporization is a completely new surgical option for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is an innovative advancement to a conventional TURP in which prostate tissue is removed more gently using low temperature plasma energy. This device is not for use in treating prostate cancer.
PlasmaButton™ vaporization constitutes a more advanced procedure than standard loop resection or laser surgery and provides the patient with the maximum degree of safety while being as effective as the current standard treatment option.
BPH FAQs
How common is benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Although benign prostatic hyperplasia rarely causes symptoms before age 40, the occurrence and symptoms increase with age. Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects about 50 percent of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and up to 90 percent of men older than 80.
What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate gland. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. As the prostate gets bigger, it may squeeze or partly block the urethra. This often causes problems with urinating.
When should I seek treatment for BPH?
If you are experiencing symptoms of BPH that are affecting your quality of life, such as loss of sleep from night time urination urges, inability to urinate, incontinence, a hesitant or a weak urine stream, then you should seek treatment.
