Symptoms
Many men have an enlarged prostate gland due to benign (non-cancerous) growth. This is more common in the elderly, but occurs in most men over 50. Typical symptoms include:
- difficulty starting to urinate
- a poor urinary flow (stopping and starting during urination)
- dribbling
- an 'irritable' bladder leading to passing urine more frequently
- a feeling of urgency or even incontinence
Many of these symptoms may be present even if the prostate is not enlarged.
Assessment & Diagnosis
Examination of the prostate is done by Digital Rectal Examination, in conjunction with urine testing, assessment of urinary flow, bladder scanning and PSA testing. This can be arranged in one visit for patients' convenience. Further tests may be needed if prostate cancer is suspected.
Treatments
Each patient's treatment will be tailored according to the severity of their symptoms, their test findings, the size of prostate and their treatment preference. Treatment options include medical (drug) treatment or prostate surgery by laser prostatectomy or TURP (telescopic removal).
Laser Prostatectomy
This new procedure creates a channel in the prostate to ease urinary flow, by vaporisation of the tissue. It has the advantage over standard prostate surgery (TURP) by offering less bleeding, day-case surgery and faster recovery. Several techniques of laser surgery exist, including Green Light Laser vaporisation, and laser resection by Holium or Thulium laser. Currently Midlands Urology offer Green Light Laser surgery at the BMI Priory Hospital Birmingham and is working towards offering Thulium Resection in 2009 as well, to give maximal patient choice. This technique removes tissue cleanly, instead of vaporising it, resulting in fewer post-operative symptoms and may be more suitable for larger prostates.