Prostate Adenoma

The prostate is a gland with a fibro muscular structure that surrounds the base of the bladder and is a part of the reproductive male system. With age, the prostate tends to enlarge; the medical term for this is benign prostatic hyperplasia. The growth of the different structures of the prostate determines the type of prostate adenoma. This is one of the most common benign tumors of men over 60 years old. Due to its localization around the urethra, once the prostate enlarges it can cause problems with urination.

The signs and symptoms that attract suspicion of a prostate adenoma are the result of the sub bladder obstruction:

• A hesitant start of urination, the patient has to wait a while before the urination begins.
• Intermittent or interrupted urine flow.
• Difficult urination, the patient struggles to empty his bladder.
• Long time to urinate due to the week urine flow.
• Urine blockage.
• Pseudo incontinence because the bladder is too full.
• Nocturia – frequent urinations at night time.
• The imperious need to urinate.
• The sensation of urgency.
• Pain or burn like sensation during urination.

There are many treatment options for patients with prostate adenoma, from medication to minimal invasive procedures and even surgery in some cases. The treatment strategy will be decided for each patient individually, taking into consideration his general health, age, how big is the prostate and how much disturbance the symptoms provoke. Medication treatment: usually alpha blockers and 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors are prescribed. The first one is meant to make the prostate tissue relax; the second one’s purpose is to cut off the production of the hormones that stimulate prostate enlargement. The patient can be prescribed one or the other or a combination of the two non invasive

Treatment Options :

• TUMT (transurethral microwave thermotherapy) a common procedure performed to treat some of the urinary tract symptoms.
• TUNA (transurethral radio frequency needle ablation) is a technique that uses radio frequency energy to eliminate the prostate tissue in excess.
•  Stents are sometimes inserted in the urethra to eliminate the discomfort of the symptoms, but most of the times is a compromise solution for patients who can’t take medication or don’t want to go to surgery.

Surgery Options :

• TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) is the most common and recommended of procedures and is also the one that is thought to deliver the best results and success rate.
• TUIP (transurethral incision of the prostate) a procedure almost identical to the one before, a newer option that presents more benefits.
• Laser Surgery presents less risks post surgery and a faster recovery for the patient.
• Prostatectomy is recommended when the adenoma is very big and it is an open surgery that will be performed through an incision while the patient will be under general or spinal anesthesia.