BPH Specialist

Robert J Cornell, MD, PA

Urologist located in Houston, TX

Benign prostatic hyperplasia — also called an enlarged prostate — is very common in men as they age. About half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60 have benign prostatic hyperplasia, and up to 90% of men over the age of 80 have it. Dr. Robert J. Cornell, located in downtown Houston, has years of experience treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, even when it’s resistant to oral medications. To learn more about treatment options, call our office today or schedule an appointment online.

281-607-5212

BPH Q & A

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate, which often results in blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder. BPH is not malignant, but BPH and prostate cancer can happen at the same time.

The prostate grows in two ways. In one type of growth, cells multiply around the urethra 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 second type of growth typically requires thermotherapy or surgery to restore urinary flow.

BPH is not merely a case of too many prostate cells: Prostate growth involves hormones, different types of tissue, and affects each man differently. Because of these differences, treatment varies.

What are the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia?

A common symptom of BPH involves often urinating, sometimes every one or two hours, especially at night. Other symptoms include:

Feeling that your bladder is full, even right after urinating
Feeling a sense of urgency
Weak urine flow or dribbling
The need to stop and start urinating several times
Trouble starting to urinate or the need to push or strain

How is benign prostatic hyperplasia treated?

If your symptoms are severe enough to cause discomfort, interfere with daily activities, or are associated with lower urinary tract infections, Dr. Cornell usually recommends treatment. He works with a variety of options, including:

Medications

These can improve urinary flow and, over time, actually shrink the prostate and promote low-pressure, complete bladder emptying.

In-office thermotherapy

If medications fail to relieve symptoms, Dr. Cornell often recommends Prostiva® RF Therapy (radiofrequency thermotherapy) to perform transurethral needle ablation (TUNA). He conducts the 20-minute procedure in the office, usually with local anesthesia and mild oral sedation.

TUNA can be used in patients with metal implants and cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators who may not be candidates for other procedures. Dr. Cornell uses TUNA because of its excellent outcomes and the absence of irritative voiding symptoms or bladder thermal injury.

Surgical treatment

PlasmaButton™ vaporization is a new surgical option for the treatment of BPH. It’s an advancement to a conventional transurethral resection of the prostate in which prostate tissue is removed more gently using low-temperature plasma energy. PlasmaButton vaporization provides the patient with the maximum degree of safety and effectiveness.

Click here to learn more about BPH and how Dr. Cornell can help, or contact the office today by booking an appointment online.

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