Benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment

Abstract:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common health problem, the incidence of which directly correlates with age. Although it is not a life-threatening disease, BHP is a serious public health problem because of its extremely high incidence (affects over 50% of men aged over 70 years) and negative effects on life quality. Treatment depends on the severity of BPH symptoms and comorbidity. Patients with less severe symptoms should be carefully monitored. In patients with moderate symptoms, medical therapy is recommended. Alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are currently the only drugs that have the unquestionable influence on the regression of symptoms, with minimal side effects. For patients requiring surgical treatment, the gold standards are transurethral prostatectomy and open prostatectomy (depending on the prostate volume). With recent introduction of lasers, high-energy ultrasound and microwaves, a new field of minimally invasive and endoscopic treatment of BPH is developing. 

Key words:
adrenergic alpha-antagonists; high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation; 5-alpha reductase inhibitors; prostatic hyperplasia; transurethral resection of prostate