PATIENT GUIDE TO
BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA (BPH)

What is benign prostatic hyperplasic (BPH)?

BPH is a condition in which the prostate is enlarged and may cause problems with urination. BPH can raise PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels which may be an indication of prostatic cancer, but may also be caused by increased volume of prostatic tissue.

What happens when the prostate enlarges?

The prostate, as it enlarges, puts pressure on the urethra. This pressure causes interference in urination. At the same time, the bladder wall thickens and becomes irritated causing it to contract and thereby stimulate the urge to urinate even when there is very little urine in the bladder. As the bladder weakens, it will leave some urine behind after urination causing an increased risk of infection.

What are the symptoms of BPH?

Some of the symptoms include: frequent urge to urinate, incontinence, and difficulty urinating.

What are the treatment options?

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a surgical option involving no external incision. An instrument is inserted into the urethra and a loop is passed through the instrument that is used to remove the obstructing prostatic tissue.

Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) is a surgical option that does not involve any external incision. In this procedure, small cuts are made in the bladder neck and in the prostate which then allows the urethra to widen.

Radical prostatectomy is an open surgery that requires an external incision. The prostate is removed in this procedure. This procedure is used in benign disease only when the prostate is severely enlarged or when there has been extensive bladder damage.

Medication management is often successful in alleviating the symptoms of BPH.