What Treatments Are There For An Enlarged Prostate?

Prostatic hyperplasia is the medical term that refers to an enlarged prostate in men above normal values.

It is very important to differentiate whether it is a benign hyperplasia, that is, when the gland has just grown and there is no change in its function, except for the possible compression that this organ can exert on other structures. On the other hand, malignant prostatic hyperplasia refers to carcinoma in situ .

In addition, the patient’s age is an important factor to be taken into account. This is explained because prostate size is not always the same. It is said that after the age of 40 is when the gland increases in size.

For this reason, any man over this age who presents symptoms of prostate compression should consult a doctor to confirm that it is a hyperplasia and study it in depth.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Clinically, we cannot know whether it is a benign or malignant disease based on the patient’s history and physical examination. Complementary tests must always be performed to confirm the nature of the disease. However, the most common symptomatology is as follows:

• Pain when urinating.
• Inability to urinate.
• Presence of blood in the urine : this sign is known as hematuria.
• Need to urinate very often, and in small amounts (most usual at night).
• Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder after urinating.
• Irregular urine flow during urination, with interruptions or dripping.

• Sensation of urgency to urinate.

These signs and symptoms can be confused with those of a urinary tract infection . That’s why it’s so important to go to the medical center to see a specialist, whatever the condition.

How is an enlarged prostate diagnosed?

First, we must take into account the patient’s symptoms and medical history. As we’ve said before, if you’re a middle-aged man, you should be screened for prostate cancer.

This is especially relevant if there is a personal or family history of prostate cancer, or any other type of cancer. Then a complete physical examination , including a digital rectal exam. During touch, different abnormalities in the size of the prostate can be observed.

There is a simple test when making the diagnosis: prostate specific antigen (also known as PSA). This substance is a marker that can be obtained from a blood test. In this way, we avoid subjecting the patient to more uncomfortable or costly tests, if not necessary.

It can also be accompanied by an image test. The first option is always to use ultrasound during ultrasound. Other imaging tests may provide better resolution. But, as it is the genital region, radiation can be emitted that affects male fertility. That’s why ultrasound is preferred.

What is the treatment for an enlarged prostate?

The treatment of this pathology depends on the origin. When it is a benign process, it is simply necessary to correct the compression that the prostate exerts on other structures, since the symptoms affect the patient’s psychological state very often.

On the other hand, if the size of the gland is considerable, resection surgery may be considered to eliminate excess tissue. Another option is to enlarge the urethra to facilitate urination, or laser surgery. However, resection surgery is the most frequent option, as it is easy to perform and offers good results.

If it is a malignant hyperplasia, the patient should be studied in more detail to take biopsies, see what type of cancer it is, what stage it is in, look for metastases in other areas (usually starts with bone involvement), etc… Often the patient needs to be referred to an adjunctive study in oncology.