Bloodless management of benign prostatic hyperplasia: medical and minimally invasive treatment options

Aging Male. 2011 Sep;14(3):141-9. doi: 10.3109/13685538.2010.548881. Epub 2011 Jan 19.

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a medical condition affecting a wide range of the aging male population resulting in various degrees of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Today, a variety of medical therapies and minimally invasive BPH treatment modalities are available. Medical therapy includes α(1) blockers, 5()α reductase inhibitors and combination therapy. When these options fail, surgery is indicated. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is still considered the gold standard surgical treatment for BPH. Nevertheless, numerous minimally invasive treatment alternatives are available that are comparable in effectiveness to TURP, with significantly less morbidity. In this article, current treatment options for BPH are reviewed with respect to their indications, long-term safety and efficacy in relieving BPH related LUTS. The selection of the type of BPH treatment should be based on the physician's experience, patient's co-morbidities as well as the prostate size and clinical disease progression.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Aged
  • Disease Management
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Laser Therapy
  • Long-Term Care
  • Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / etiology
  • Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / physiopathology
  • Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures*
  • Patient Selection
  • Prostate / pathology*
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / complications
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / pathology
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / physiopathology
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / therapy*
  • Quality of Life
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Transurethral Resection of Prostate

Substances

  • 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors
  • Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists