Every year, men of the age 50 and up face possible risks that affect their prostate. Although prostate cancer is a very serious disease that affects many older men around the world, there is another type of prostate problem that many have to face in their lives, and it’s known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Although benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as benign hyperplasia prostatic (BPH), is not considered one of the cancer types that affect men, it does affect the prostate along with bladder function.
Male Prostate Information
The male prostate is a gland that belongs to the male reproductive system, surrounding the urethra and located just under the bladder. The main function of the prostate is to store and secrete prostatic fluid that contains prostate specific antigen (PSA), which is an enzyme that turns semen into a fluid and is said to help increase semen potency during ejaculation.
The human male prostate is usually described to be the size of a walnut or kiwifruit and weighs approximately 11 grams. Once a prostate becomes inflamed or the PSA levels in a man a higher than usual, there are several screening test conducted to find any potential problems like infection or disease.
Define Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) isa non-cancerous condition causedby an increase of prostate cells which cause the prostate to become inflamed. When the prostate increases in size, it may apply pressure on the urethra, causing partial or complete blockage. This blockage will disrupt the normal flow of urine and cause other symptoms including a frequent need to urinate, painful urination and also increases the chance of developing a urinary tract infection.
One important issue that tends to come along with benign prostatic hyperplasia,PSA levels generally rise due to inflammation or a urinary tract infection, which leads many doctors to suspect other diseases like prostate cancer and usually follow up with a series of screening tests.
Benign Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer Screening
There are several different screening methods for benign prostate hyperplasia.
- Blood/PSA tests
- Digital rectal examination
- Transrectal ultrasound
Blood/PSA Tests
These blood tests check the prostate specific antigen level from within the male prostate. If the PSA levels are found to be higher than normal, there will usually be other tests to determine the cause of these increased levels.
Digital Rectal Examination
A digital rectal examination is conducted in the doctor’s office, usually during routine checkups. The doctor will have gloved hands and use one lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the prostate and any potential abnormalities like tumors.
Transrectal Ultrasound
Also conducted in the doctor’s office, a very fine ultrasound probe is inserted in to the rectum to capture images of the prostate from within the pelvis.
When it comes to screening benign prostatic hyperplasia,prostate test results will sometimes come up with several possible problems that may seem similar to BPH. Sometimes it may be an infection while other times it may be signs of prostate cancer.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia- Types of Treatment
There are many different types of benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment options available and some of the types of treatment options can be done in everyday life, while others require more serious approaches.
3 Types of Standard Treatment
Lifestyle Changes
One of the first treatment options that many patients try is simply changing a few habits in their daily lives. They are asked to eliminate or severely reduce the amount of alcohol and caffeine they normally consume along with less fluid intake in the evenings and even a timed schedule for voiding.
Medications
There are two main types of medications that are recommended for benign prostate hyperplasia patients: alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
Alpha Blockers
There are several alpha blockers that are used as treatment. They relax the muscles around the bladder in order to ease urinary flow.
5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors
The 5-alpha reductase inhibitors reduce the prostate size by lowering testosterone levels and convert them to hormones that are necessary for healthy prostate growth.
Surgery
Laser Surgery
There are two types of laser surgery, with one being administered on men who have mild prostate inflammation and another for men with advanced prostate enlargement. Both methods uses lasers to destroy abnormal excess prostate tissue.
Open Prostatectomy
An open prostatectomy is used in more serious cases and is usually one of the last treatment options suggested due to the lengthy procedure and long recovery period. A surgeon makes an incision into the abdomen and removes the inner part of the prostate. After this procedure is performed, some patients experience the following side effects:
- urinary incontinence
- impotence
- infertility
- narrowing of the urethra
Less Invasive Therapy Options
Unlike some of the medications and surgery options that leave several abrasive side effects on many patients, there are other popular treatment options that are considered less invasive. Many patients prefer these options due to their high success rates and relatively low rates for side effects.
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
TURP is one of the top treatment options for anyone suffering with benign prostate hyperplasia. This is a medical procedure where a metal probe is inserted into the urethra and there is heat applied to destroy abnormal cells and forming a wider opening in the urethra.
One of the problematic results from TURP that affects many men post-surgery is the discovery of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). PIN is a very small lesion found in prostate tissue samples and is generally considered a predecessor to prostate cancer.
Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA)
The TUNA procedure uses two needles that are inserted into the urethra via a catheter, and apply a low energy radio frequency to destroy excess abnormal tissue from the prostate.
Cryosurgery
Like TURP, cryosurgery is a method of destroying abnormal cells but by using extreme cold. This procedure is a very popular choice, especially over TURP due to the efficiency rating and the low side effects instances.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Facts
- This condition generally shows up in men over the age of 50 but with the majority of patients (90%) being 80 years of age and older.
- There is no solid evidence showing a main cause for BPH.
- Green tea contains flavonoids that are said to be beneficial for a healthy prostate.
- Increasing fruits and soy products benefits a healthy prostate and reduce the risk of BPH.
