¡¡ |
>>BPH |
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About
BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) |
How is
BPH treated? |
How
BPH or enlarged prostate is diagnosed |
Prostatic Hyperplasia |
BPH or
enlarged prostate treatment options |
How
common is BPH? |
BPH or enlarged prostate symptoms and signs |
Is BPH
a sign of cancer? |
Causes
and risk factors of BPH or enlarged prostate |
¡¡ |
Enlarged Prostate Treatment Better with Surgery
Compared to Drugs |
Surgery defeats drug therapy in treatment of
benign prostatic hyperplasia |
|
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Benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) occurs in older
men;the prostate often enlarges to the point
where urination becomes difficult. Symptoms
include needing to go to the toilet often
(frequency) or taking a while to get started
(hesitancy). If the prostate grows too large, it
may constrict the urethra and impede the flow of
urine, making urination difficult and painful
and in extreme cases completely impossible.
BPH can be treated with medication, a minimally
invasive procedure or, in extreme cases, surgery
that removes the prostate. Minimally invasive
procedures include Transurethral needle ablation
of the prostate (TUNA) and Transurethral
microwave thermotherapy (TUMT).These outpatient
procedures may be followed by the insertion of a
temporary Prostatic stent, to allow normal
voluntary urination, without exacerbating
irritative symptoms.
The surgery most often used in such cases is
called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP
or TUR). In TURP, an instrument is inserted
through the urethra to remove prostate tissue
that is pressing against the upper part of the
urethra and restricting the flow of urine. TURP
results in the removal of mostly transitional
zone tissue in a patient with BPH. Older men
often have corpora amylacea(amyloid), dense
accumulations of calcified proteinaceous
material, in the ducts of their prostates. The
corpora amylacea may obstruct the lumens of the
prostatic ducts, and may underlie some cases of
BPH.
Urinary frequency due to bladder spasm, common
in older men, may be confused with prostatic
hyperplasia. Statistical observations suggest
that a diet low in fat and red meat and high in
protein and vegetables, as well as regular
alcohol consumption, could protect against BPH.
For men,
enlargement of the prostate is a natural part of
getting older. Around the age of 40, many men
experience a second period of prostate growth. A
strong layer of tissue surrounding the prostate
prevents it from expanding outward. BPH symptoms
begin as the prostate compresses inward onto the
urethra, reducing or obstructing urine flow.
Because the prostate continues to grow during a
man's lifetime:
Men over age 50 have roughly a 50% chance of
developing BPH or enlarged prostate.
By age 80, about 80% to 90% of men are diagnosed
with BPH or enlarged prostate.
The good news is that BPH or enlarged prostate
is a manageable condition. It is important to
know that BPH or enlarged prostate is not
cancerous and does not lead to cancer. However,
it is possible for men to have both BPH or
enlarged prostate and prostate cancer. |
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Causes and risk factors of BPH or enlarged prostate
|
The exact cause of BPH
is not well understood. However, during their lifetime, men
produce testosterone (a male hormone) and a small amount of
estrogen (a female hormone). The amount of active
testosterone decreases as a man ages, resulting in a higher
proportion of estrogen in the blood. Studies have suggested
that a higher proportion of estrogen may encourage cell
growth within the prostate, which may lead to BPH or
enlarged prostate.
Another theory regarding the cause of BPH or enlarged
prostate suggests that accumulation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT),
a substance derived from testosterone in the prostate, may
encourage cell growth.
Primary risk factors for BPH or enlarged prostate include:
¦µAging
¡ª the main risk factor for the BPH or enlarged prostate
¦µHeredity
¡ª a family history of BPH or enlarged prostate
¦µMarital
status ¡ª for reasons that are not known, men who are married
are more likely to develop BPH or enlarged prostate than
single men
¦µNationality
¡ª BPH or enlarged prostate is more common in Americans and
Europeans than in Asian men |
Article Source:http://www.prostatedisease.org/bph/risk_factors.aspx |
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BPH or
enlarged prostate symptoms and signs |
BPH or enlarged
prostate symptoms vary from person to person. In many men,
these symptoms are not problematic. However, many men with
this condition have prostate symptoms that are bothersome
enough for them to seek medical treatment.
Many of the symptoms of BPH or enlarged prostate are caused
by obstruction of the urethra, along with gradual loss of
bladder function. The size of the prostate does not always
correspond with the severity of the obstruction or the
symptoms, which may include£º
¡¡ |
Obstructive symptoms: |
¡öFeeling of incomplete bladder emptying |
¡öDelay
and difficulty in initiating an urinary stream |
¡öStopping and starting urination several times during
voiding |
¡öWeak
urinary stream |
¡öDribbling at the end of urination |
¡öPushing or straining while urinating |
|
Irritative symptoms: |
¡öFeeling of little warning when the urge of urination
develops |
¡öFrequent urination with short intervals |
¡öNeed
to urinate during the night |
¡öInability to hold back urine |
Acute Urinary
Retention
Some men may not know they have a urinary blockage until
they suddenly find that they cannot urinate at all. This is
called acute urinary retention. This condition may be caused
by some over-the-counter cold or allergy medicines that
contain an ingredient that can prevent the bladder from
relaxing and releasing urine. In men who have a partial
blockage, alcohol, cold temperatures, or a long period of
immobility can cause urinary retention. |
When to See a
Doctor about BPH or Enlarged Prostate
See your doctor if you are experiencing any urinary
problems, even if they are not bothersome. Your doctor can
determine if you have BPH or enlarged prostate, and whether
your diagnosis requires treatment. |
Article Source:http://www.prostatedisease.org/bph/sign_and_symptoms.aspx |
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How BPH or enlarged prostate is
diagnosed |
You may first notice
BPH or enlarged prostate symptoms yourself, or your doctor
may notice that your prostate is enlarged during a routine
examination. If your primary care doctor suspects that you
have BPH or enlarged prostate, he or she may refer you to a
urologist ¡ª a doctor who specializes in problems of the
urinary tract and male reproductive system.
Tests for BPH or Enlarged Prostate
Your doctor may perform some or all of the following tests
to confirm or rule out the presence of BPH or enlarged
prostate.
¡¤International
Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) or AUA Symptom Index
¡ª a short questionnaire that asks about specific urinary
symptoms associated with BPH or enlarged prostate and how
often they occur.
¡¤Digital
Rectal Examination (DRE) ¡ª during the physical
examination, the doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated
finger into the rectum to feel the prostate. This
examination allows the doctor to get a general idea of the
size and condition of your prostate.
¡¤Prostate-Specific
Antigen (PSA) blood test ¡ª used to rule out prostate
cancer as the cause of your symptoms. PSA is a protein
produced by cells in the prostate, and the level of this
protein is elevated in the blood in men who have prostate
cancer or BPH.
¡¤
Urinalysis ¡ª a laboratory test of your urine
performed to rule out the presence of an infection or
condition that may produce similar symptoms.
If the results of these tests suggest that you may have BPH
or enlarged prostate, your doctor will probably perform
additional examinations to help confirm the diagnosis and
determine the severity of the condition.
Such tests may include:
¡¤Urinary
flow study ¡ª measures the strength and amount of your
urine flow.
¡¤
Imaging tests ¡ª ultrasound may be performed to
estimate the size of the prostate and may also be used to
look for prostate stones, kidney stones or obstructions, or
a tumor.
¡¤Cystoscopy
¡ª a cystoscope (a thin tube containing a lens with a light
system) is inserted into the urethra so the doctor can
detect problems, including prostate enlargement or the
development of stones in your bladder.
¡¤
Urodynamic studies ¡ª your doctor may recommend a
series of tests to measure bladder pressure and function if
he or she suspects your symptoms might be related to a
bladder problem or a neurological problem, and not BPH or
enlarged prostate.
¡¤
Post-void residual volume test ¡ª ultrasound
imaging is used to determine if you can empty your bladder.
|
Article Source:http://www.prostatedisease.org/bph/diagnosis.aspx |
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BPH or enlarged prostate treatment options
|
Benjamin Franklin
reportedly suffered from it; so did Thomas Jefferson. So
will most men, if they live long enough.
This almost inevitable condition is called benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH), or enlargement of the prostate. The risk
of BPH increases every year after age 40: BPH is present in
20% of men in their fifties, 60% of men in their sixties,
and 70% of men by age 70.
One-quarter of men with BPH¡ªmore than 350,000 a year in the
United States alone¡ªeventually will require treatment, some
more than once, to relieve the urinary obstruction BPH
causes.
In recent years, as medical therapy has become available,
more men have sought treatment to relieve their symptoms.
Based on the figures mentioned above, it¡¯s likely that after
age 60, a majority of men will either be taking medication
for BPH or considering it. However, not all of these men
will be helped by the medicine: for men with severe symptoms
or men who wait until the disease is far advanced before
they seek treatment, surgery is still the best option.
Important Note: Growth is not the same thing as cancer. BPH
is not prostate cancer, and having BPH doesn't mean a man is
more or less likely to get prostate cancer. They are two
different diseases¡ªand in some ways, the prostate is almost
like two different glands rolled into one.
Prostate cancer begins in the outer peripheral zone of the
prostate, and grows outward, invading surrounding tissue.
BPH begins in a tiny area of the inner prostate called the
transition zone, a ring of tissue that makes a natural
circle around the urethra.
In BPH, the growth is inward toward the prostate¡¯s core,
constantly tightening around the urethra (the tube that
carries urine from the bladder through the prostate to the
penis) and interfering with urination. This is why BPH
produces such annoying, difficult-to-ignore symptoms¡ªbut why
prostate cancer is often ¡°silent,¡± producing no symptoms for
months or even years.
The key word here is benign. (The word hyperplasia simply
means an increase in the number of cells in the prostate,
which causes it to become enlarged.) By itself, an enlarged
prostate causes no symptoms and does no harm. If it weren¡¯t
for the fact that the prostate encircles the urethra, BPH
might never require treatment.
BPH Treatment Options
Current treatment options for BPH include medications that
relax the muscles of the urinary sphincter, called alpha
blockers (like doxazosin or flomax/tamsulosin) or
medications that actually shrink the volume of the prostate
called DHT inhibitors (like finasteride ((Proscar)) or
dutasteride ((Avodart))). Often these medications will be
combined for more severe cases to prevent urinary
obstruction and help with symptoms.
The DHT inhibitors have also been shown to reduce a man¡¯s
risk over time of developing prostate cancer by about 25%.
The ability to prevent prostate cancer may have a real
benefit in preventing the treatments down the road that
cause side effects. It can also make prostate cancer a bit
easier to detect, by shrinking the gland. However,
aggressive prostate cancers may not be as effectively
prevented with these hormonal agents, and these medicines
have not yet been shown to save lives due to prostate
cancer. As always, it¡¯s important to discuss the risks and
benefits of these medicines with your doctor.
Men who experience
symptoms of BPH or enlarged prostate usually require
treatment at some point. In men with slightly enlarged
prostates, early treatment may not be necessary. Studies
have shown that symptoms clear up without treatment in about
one third of all mild cases of BPH or enlarged prostate. In
these cases, regular checkups are recommended to watch for
any problems. This approach to BPH or enlarged prostate is
called "watchful waiting."
Active treatment is usually recommended when the condition
causes an inconvenience to the patient, the symptoms become
bothersome, or it becomes a risk to the patient's overall
health.
The most commonly used treatments for BPH or enlarged
prostate include: |
Medication
treatment for BPH or enlarged prostate
Several drugs have
been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for
the treatment of BPH or enlarged prostate. These drugs may
relieve the BPH or enlarged prostate symptoms and are the
most common treatment for alleviating symptoms of BPH or
enlarged prostate.
They generally fall into two main categories, alpha-blockers
and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.
Alpha-blockers
These medications help to relax particular muscles,
including the muscles in your prostate and bladder outlet,
making urination easier. The most common side effects with
alpha-blockers are dizziness, upper respiratory tract
infection, headache and tiredness. Men who experience
alpha-blocker side effects from treatment should talk to
their doctor.
Click here to learn more about a sanofi-aventis treatment
option for BPH or enlarged prostate.
5-Alpha-reductase Inhibitors
These medications are used to shrink the prostate and
relieve pressure on the urethra. As the prostate shrinks,
men who have large prostates may notice improvement in their
enlarged prostate symptoms. 5-Alpha-reductase inhibitors
take a long time to work ¡ª sometimes more than six months.
Side effects of these medications may include impotence,
decreased sex drive, and reduced semen release during
ejaculation. |
Surgery to treat
BPH or enlarged prostate
Other treatment
options for BPH or enlarged prostate include a variety of
surgical options, thermotherapy, and a number of nonsurgical
treatment options.
Surgery for BPH or
Enlarged Prostate
Surgery is primarily used in men with severe symptoms of BPH
or enlarged prostate or a complicating factor, including:
¡¤Bleeding
from the prostate
¡¤Bladder
stones
¡¤Frequent
urinary tract infection
¡¤Urinary
retention
¡¤Kidney
damage caused by urinary retention
Although BPH or enlarged prostate surgery can be associated
with side effects, including impotence or loss of bladder
control, most men do not experience serious long-term
problems due to this type of treatment. However, repeat
surgeries are sometimes necessary. |
Thermotherapy
Thermotherapy is a
broad term that includes a number of treatment options that
use heat to destroy excessive prostate tissue. There are
several types of thermotherapy:
¡ö Microwave therapy uses heat in the form of microwave
energy to destroy the inner portion of the prostate gland.
After this procedure, the use of a catheter may be required
for several days. This procedure generally does not cause
impotence, incontinence, or retrograde ejaculation.
¡öRadiofrequency therapy uses radio waves sent through
needles to heat and destroy prostate tissue. Radiofrequency
therapy does not cause incontinence or impotence, but there
is a small risk of retrograde ejaculation.
¡öElectrovaporization uses high-frequency electrical current
to cut and vaporize excess prostate tissue. During cutting
and vaporization, the electrical current also seals off the
tissue to limit or prevent bleeding.
¡öLaser therapy is similar to other thermotherapies, except
that a laser is used instead of microwave energy, radio
waves, or electrical current. Laser therapy usually does not
cause impotence or prolonged incontinence. |
Nonsurgical
Treatment for BPH or Enlarged Prostate |
Nonsurgical treatment
options for BPH or enlarged prostate are available for men
who are reluctant or unable to undergo surgery, or who are
unable or unwilling to take medication. One of the most
common methods is the use of prostatic stents, which are
tiny metal coils placed into the urethra to widen it and
keep it open. Tissue will grow over the stent to hold it in
place. This procedure only takes about 10 to 15 minutes,
produces little or no bleeding, and does not require a
catheter. Some men have not experienced any improvement in
their symptoms after placement of the stent. In addition,
other men have had frequent urinary tract infections or
experienced irritation when urinating. This procedure is
usually reserved for critically ill or very elderly patients
with urinary retention. |
Article Source:http://www.prostatedisease.org/bph/treatments/default.aspx |
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Enlarged Prostate Treatment Better with Surgery Compared to
Drugs |
Findings from a large
study show that men who undergo surgery for enlarged
prostate gland fare better than those treated with drugs.
Treatment of enlarged prostate was compared to medication
treatment in a large study. Compared to drugs, enlarged
prostate treatment is better with surgery compared to taking
medications to reduce symptoms.
Enlarged prostate gland, known as benign prostatic
hypertrophy (BPH), occurs in fifty percent of men by age 60.
According to the NIH, 90 percent of men in their seventies
and eighties have symptoms of BPH. When the prostate gland
becomes large, the result is urinary incontinence,
susceptibility to urinary tract infections, leakage, and
frequent need to urinate. Researchers from the Mayo Clinic
studied 2184 healthy men with symptoms of BPH 1990 through
2007, finding that surgery is the best option for treating
an enlarged prostate gland compared to taking medications to
relieve symptoms.
The prostate gland normally grows with age. Researchers know
little about the cause, and some men with very large
prostate glands may not experience symptoms until urine flow
becomes completely blocked. In other cases the prostate
gland that lies in front of the rectum and below the bladder
can obstruct the flow of urine leading to incomplete bladder
emptying, frequent urination at night, weak urine stream,
and feelings of incomplete bladder emptying. For men with
symptoms of BPH, researchers found that the best treatment
for reducing urinary incontinence is a surgical procedure
known as a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
Medications can prevent symptoms from progressing.
Another type of surgical treatment for an enlarged prostate
is laser vaporization surgery. The researchers found the
surgery provided no help for men suffering urinary
incontinence, a symptom the researchers found was common
among the men studied with enlarged prostate. Medication
therapy using alpha adrenergic receptor blockers and
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (ARIs) prevented symptoms from
getting worse. TURP lowered urinary incontinence in men with
enlarged prostate from 64.5 percent to 41.9 percent.
BPH is a common occurrence with aging. Enlarged prostate may
or may not cause symptoms for men. When the prostate gland
becomes larger, something that is normal with age, the cells
can grow into the bladder and block urine flow. When the
bladder becomes full leakage and urinary incontinence ensue.
The cause, though not completely understood, is likely due
to hormonal changes from testosterone derivatives that cause
prostate gland cells to spread.
The study should make it easier for men to choose treatment
options for enlarged prostate. Compared to medication
therapy, surgery was found to be a better option for
reducing symptoms of urinary incontinence for men suffering
from BPH. Laser vaporization surgery also compared more
favorably for helping men suffering from symptoms of
enlarged prostate than taking medications, but did not
reduce urinary incontinence. Men taking medications for
enlarged prostate reported an increase in symptoms of
urinary incontinence. The study is the first to collect data
about outcomes for treatment of enlarged prostate, showing
that TURP surgery offers significant help for reducing
urinary incontinence. |
Article Source:
http://www.emaxhealth.com/1020/3/36743/enlarged-prostate-treatment-better-surgery-compared-drugs.html |
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Prostatic Hyperplasia |
Nodular prostatic
hyperplasia (also termed benign prostatic hyperplasia, or
BPH) is a common condition as men age. Perhaps a fourth of
men have some degree of hyperplasia by the fifth decade of
life. By the eighth decade, over 90% of males will have
prostatic hyperplasia. However, in only a minority of cases
(about 10%) will this hyperplasia be symptomatic and severe
enough to require surgical or medical therapy. (Bushman,
2009)
The mechanism for hyperplasia may be related to accumulation
of dihydrotestosterone in the prostate, which then binds to
nuclear hormone receptors which then trigger growth. The
effect of drugs which act to inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha
reductase, which converts testosterone to
dihydrotestosterone within cells. This blocks the
growth-promoting androgenic effect and diminishes prostatic
enlargement. Such drugs include finasteride and episteride.
Drug therapy must be continued to remain effective. (Andr¨ªole
et al, 2004)
Another class of drugs used to treat BPH are the alpha
1-adrenoreceptors, including prazosin, alfuzosin, indoramin,
terazosin, doxazosin, and tamsulosin. These alpha adrenergic
blockers lead to relaxation of smooth muscle in prostate and
help to relieve obstruction. Drug therapy must be continued
to remain effective. (Auffenberg et al, 2009)
The normal prostate weighs 20 to 30 gm, but most prostates
with nodular hyperplasia can weigh from 50 to 100 gm.
Hyperplasia begins in the region of the veru-montanum, in
the inner zone of the prostate, and extends to involve
lateral lobes. This enlargement impinges upon the prostatic
urethra, leading to the difficulty on urination with
hesitency that is typical for this condition. Dysuria,
dribbling, and nocturia are also frequent. The urinary tract
obstruction leads to urinary retention and risk for
infection. In severe, prolonged cases, hydroureter with
hydronephrosis and renal failure can ensue. (Wasserman,
2006)
Microscopically, nodular prostatic hyperplasia consists of
nodules of glands and intervening stroma. Most of the
hyperplasia is contributed by glandular proliferation, but
the stroma is also increased, and in rare cases may
predominate. The glands may be more variably sized, with
larger glands have more prominent papillary infoldings.
Nodular hyperplasia is NOT a precursor to carcinoma. (Homma
et al, 1996) |
Article Source:
http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/TUTORIAL/PROSTATE/PROSTATE.html |
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Is BPH a sign of cancer? |
No. It¡¯s true that
some men with prostate cancer also have BPH, but that
doesn¡¯t mean that the two conditions are always linked. Most
men with BPH don¡¯t develop prostate cancer. However, because
the early symptoms are the same for both conditions, you
should see a doctor to evaluate these symptoms.
Is BPH a serious disease?
By itself, BPH is not a serious condition, unless the
symptoms are so bothersome that you can¡¯t enjoy life. But
BPH can lead to serious problems. One problem is urinary
tract infections.
If you can¡¯t urinate at all, you should get medical help
right away. Sometimes this happens suddenly to men after
they take an over-the-counter cold or allergy medicine.
In rare cases, BPH and its constant urination problems can
lead to kidney damage. |
Article Source:http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostate_ez/#What |
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How is BPH treated? |
Several treatments are available. Work with
your doctor to find the one that¡¯s best for you.
¡¤Watchful waiting. If your symptoms don¡¯t bother you
too much, you may choose to live with them rather than take
pills every day or have surgery. But you should have regular
checkups to make sure your condition isn¡¯t getting worse.
With watchful waiting, you can be ready to choose a
treatment as soon as you need it.
¡¤Medicines. In recent years, scientists have
developed several medicines to shrink or relax the prostate
to keep it from blocking the bladder opening.
¡¤Nonsurgical procedures.
A number of devices have been developed
that allow doctors to remove parts of the prostate during
nonsurgical procedures. These procedures can usually be done
in a clinic or hospital without an overnight stay. The
procedures are transurethral, which means the doctor reaches
the area by going through the urethra. The doctor uses thin
tubes inserted through the urethra to deliver controlled
heat to small areas of the prostate.
A gel may be applied to the urethra to prevent pain or
discomfort. You won¡¯t need drugs that make you go to sleep.
Several transurethral procedures are treatments for BPH:
¡¤PVP (photoselective
vaporization of the prostate): destroys excess prostate
tissue interfering with the exit of urine from the body by
using a controlled laser beam inside the prostate.
¡¤TUIP
(transurethral incision of the prostate): widens the urethra
by making a few small cuts in the bladder neck, where the
urethra joins the bladder, and in the prostate gland itself.
¡¤TUMT
(transurethral microwave thermotherapy): destroys prostate
tissue by using a probe in the urethra to deliver
microwaves.
¡¤TUNA (transurethral needle ablation): destroys
excess prostate tissue with electromagnetically generated
heat by using a needle-like device in the urethra.
¡¤Surgical treatment. Surgery to remove a piece of the
prostate can be done through the urethra or in open surgery,
which requires cutting through the skin above the base of
the penis. Your doctor may recommend open surgery if your
prostate is especially large. The most common surgery is
called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). In
TURP, the surgeon inserts a thin tube up the urethra and
cuts away pieces of the prostate with a wire loop while
looking through a cystoscope. TURP and open surgery both
require general anesthesia and a stay in the hospital. |
Article Source:http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostate_ez/#What |
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How common is BPH? |
By about age 50, about
half of all men have begun to develop an enlarged prostate.
And by age 80, 90 percent of all men have the condition. |
Article Source:
http://www.prostatehealthguide.com/bph_basic.html |
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About BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) |
The prostate gland is
different than most of the other organs because it grows in
size during several stages of a man¡¯s life. Doctors refer to
this condition as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or
benign prostatic hypertrophy. This non-cancerous enlargement
is part of the normal maturation process in all males. It
first occurs during puberty (when it nearly doubles in size)
and again around the age of 25. The prostate will continue
to grow through the remainder of life, usually causing
significant complications beginning at the age of 40. In
fact, some 90% of all men in their sixties and seventies
complain of prostate issues. BPH is often a condition of
concern for most men, as its symptoms can often mimic those
found in prostate cancer. However, BPH is not indicative of
prostate cancer. |
Article Source:
http://totalprostate.com/prostate_facts.php |
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Surgery defeats drug therapy in treatment of benign
prostatic hyperplasia |
Benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH) refers to an increase in the size of the
prostate in middle-aged and elderly men. According to a Mayo
Clinic study, surgery for BPH offers more relief from
incontinence and obstruction symptoms than treatment from
drug-based therapy. Claimed to be a 17- year long study, the
authors suggest surgical procedures to be more effective
treatment than administration of drugs.
The investigators supposedly analyzed a large sample of
around 2000 men, all aged between 40 to 79 years. It then
appeared that BPH/lower urinary tract symptoms comprised a
common condition of urinary incontinence. The authors
recommended a surgical treatment for all patients claiming
the highest symptom scores.
Amy Krambeck, M.D., Mayo Clinic urologist and lead study
investigator alleged, ¡°Our data fills a gap in the study
record that can be used by physicians and patients to
evaluate management options. Because it¡¯s a large
community-based study of more than 2,100 men, it includes
the entire broad range of male health. This suggests the
results are stronger in terms of being generalized and
applied to other men.¡±
Once the patients were provided with all kinds of
treatments, the symptoms appeared to stabilize. But after
comparison the highest decrease in the symptoms as well as
incontinence was observed in the patients who were provided
with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Before
the TURP the incontinence rate was 64.5 percent, while
afterwards it was 41.9 percent.
BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms are commonly found
among men. In fact by the age of 60 almost 50 percent men
suffer from an enlarged prostate and by the age of 90 it
elevates in about 80 percent. One of the most general
symptoms is a heightened urge to urinate or leakage. Various
treatments are available but it is alleged that until now
there were no comparisons differentiating between drug
therapy and surgery. This leaves physicians confused to
recommend a particular procedure due to subjective factors.
Dr. Krambeck shared, ¡°After intervention, the greatest
improvement in symptom score was seen in the TURP group,
followed by laser vaporization, then the drugs, 5 alpha
reductase inhibitors and alpha adrenergic receptor blockers.
Only the surgical TURP group reported a decrease in
incontinence ¡ª pre-TURP the incontinence rate was 64.5
percent and post-TURP it was 41.9 percent.¡±
The study which probably comprised 2,184 healthy men, aged
40-79 lasted from 1990 to 2007. The participants were made
to undergo a survey annually. The survey included questions
about the participant¡¯s urinary symptoms and the treatments
they are provided with. This data enabled the study authors
to ascertain the urinary problems along with incontinence
before and after different types of treatment.
The outcome was that approximately 1,574 men that translated
to almost 72 percent were apparently not given any treatment
for BPH symptoms. Furthermore, around 307 men displaying a
total of 14 percent possibly employed alpha adrenergic
receptor blockers (ARs). The results also revealed that 195
men mainly almost 9 percent undertook medication
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (ARIs).
Apart from showing 23 men who underwent surgical laser
vaporization, it also appeared that almost 85 men
representing 4 percent of the sample underwent surgical
transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The results
displayed an enormous decrease in the incontinence rates
when compared to the patients in the other treatment groups.
These patients may be given both forms of medical therapy.
Patients provided with laser vaporization reported no change
in the symptoms. |
Article Source:
http://www.healthjockey.com/2010/06/02/study-surgery-defeats-drug-therapy-in-treatment-of-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia/ |
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