Project Description
Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Treatment & Symptoms
Enlarged Prostate or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is mistaken to be simply a case of too many prostate cells. But, in fact, there is no cure for BPH and once prostate growth starts, it often continues, unless medical therapy is started. The prostate gland grows in two different ways. In the first type of growth, the cells multiply around the urethra and squeeze it, much like you can squeeze a straw. The second type of growth is the middle-lobe prostate growth, in which the cells grow into the urethra and the bladder outlet area. This type of growth typically requires surgery.
- Blood in the urine (i.e. hematuria), caused by straining to void
- Dribbling after voiding
- Feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely even after urination
- Frequent urination, particularly at night (nocturia)
- Hesitant, interrupted or weak urine stream caused by decreased force
- Leakage of urine (overflow incontinence)
- Pushing or straining to begin urination
- Recurrent, sudden, urgent need to urinate
In severe cases of BPH, Acute Urinary Retention (inability to urinate) may result. It causes severe pain and discomfort. Catheterization may be necessary to drain urine from the bladder to obtain relief.
Clinical symptoms and physical examination provide the basis for diagnosis of Enlarged Prostate or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. The physical examination includes a digital rectal examination (DRE). Symptom evaluation is obtained from the results of the AUA Symptom Index.
DRE typically takes less than a minute to perform. The doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the patient’s rectum to feel the surface of the prostate gland through the rectal wall to assess its size, shape and consistency. Healthy prostate tissue is soft, like the fleshy tissue of the hand where the thumb joins the palm. Malignant tissue is firm, hard and often asymmetrical or stony like the bridge of the nose. If the examination reveals the presence of unhealthy tissue, additional tests are performed to determine the nature of the abnormality.
American Urological Association (AUA) Symptom Index is a questionnaire designed to determine the seriousness of a man’s urinary problems and to help diagnose BPH. The patient answers seven questions related to common symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. How frequently the patient experiences each symptom is rated on a scale of 1 to 5. These numbers added together provide a score that is used to evaluate the condition. An AUA score of 0 to 7 means the condition is mild; 8 to 19, moderate; and 20 to 35, severe.
Blood test to check the levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in a patient who may have BPH helps the doctor to eliminate the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
This is a simple test which records the urine flow to determine how quickly and completely the bladder can be emptied. With a full bladder, the patient urinates into a device that measures the amount of urine, the time taken, and the rate of urine flow. Patients with stress or urge incontinence usually have a normal or increased urinary flow rate, unless there is an obstruction in the urinary tract. A reduced flow rate may indicate BPH.M
This test measures the amount of urine that remains in the bladder even after urination. The patient is asked to urinate immediately prior to the test and the residual urine is determined by ultrasound. PVR less than 50 ml. generally indicates adequate bladder emptying and measurements of 100 to 200 ml or higher often indicates blockage.
Holmium Laser Enucleation of Prostate (HoLEP): It is the latest modality used in the management of Enlarged Prostate. In this procedure, a 550 Micron Fibre attached to a 100-Watts Holmium Laser machine is used to remove obstructive prostatic tissue and seal blood vessels. The enucleated gland is then pushed into the bladder, which is later sucked out with the help of an equipment called Morcellator. The whole procedure takes around 45-90 minutes, depending on the size of the gland. This procedure is nearly bloodless as the laser beam when cuts the gland also seals the blood vessels. In most of the cases there is no need for blood transfusion. At the end of surgery, a catheter is inserted to keep the bladder in place. It continuously drains the urine into a sterile collection bag. The catheter is usually kept for 24 to 48 hrs and the patient is discharged without catheter after giving a catheter free trial.