What Treatments Are There For Prostatic Hyperplasia?
Prostatic hyperplasia is a very common condition in middle-aged men. It is necessary to differentiate if it is benign or malignant in its diagnosis in order to establish an adequate treatment.
Prostatic hyperplasia is the medical term that refers to the enlargement of the prostate in men above normal values.
It is very important to differentiate if it is a benign hyperplasia, that is, when the gland has only grown and there is no alteration in its function, except for the possible compression that this organ may exert on other structures. In contrast, malignant prostate hyperplasia refers to carcinoma in situ .
In addition, the age of the patient is a key factor to take into account. This is explained because the size of the prostate is not always the same. It is said that from the age of 40 is when the gland increases in size.
For this reason, any male over this age who presents symptoms of prostate compression should see a doctor to confirm that it is hyperplasia and study it in depth.
What are the signs and symptoms of prostatic hyperplasia?
There are a number of signs and symptoms common to all prostate hyperplasia. However, when it comes to a malignant pathology such as prostate cancer, there are some peculiarities that allow speeding up its diagnosis, and for this reason we will see them in the next section.
In the clinic, we cannot know if it is a benign or malignant disease based on the patient’s history and physical examination. Additional tests must always be carried out to confirm the nature of the hyperplasia. However, the most common symptoms are as follows:
- Pain on urination.
- Inability to urinate
- Presence of blood in urine : This sign is known as hematuria.
- Need to urinate very often and in small amounts (more common at night).
- Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder after urinating.
- Irregular urine flow during urination with interruptions or drips.
- Feeling of urgency to urinate.
These signs and symptoms can be confused with those of a urine infection. That is why it is so important to go to the medical center for consultation, whatever the pathology.
How is prostatic hyperplasia diagnosed?
First of all, the patient’s symptoms and medical history must be taken into account. As we have said before, if it is a middle-aged man, a prostate cancer screening should be done.
This is especially relevant if there is a personal or family history of prostate cancer or any other type of cancer. This is followed by a complete physical exam that includes a digital rectal exam. During the touch, the different abnormalities in the size of the prostate can be appreciated.
There is a simple test to establish the diagnosis: prostate specific antigen (also known under the acronym PSA). This substance is a marker that can be obtained in a blood test. In this way we avoid subjecting the patient to more uncomfortable or expensive tests if it is not necessary.
It can also be accompanied by an imaging test. The use of ultrasound during ultrasound is always the first option. Other imaging tests may offer better resolution. But, when it comes to the genital region, radiation can be emitted that affects the fertility of the man. That is why ultrasound is preferred.
What is the treatment for prostatic hyperplasia?
Treatment for this condition depends on the nature of the hyperplasia. When it comes to a benign process, it is simply necessary to correct the compression that the prostate exerts on other structures, since the symptoms affect the psychological state of the patient very often.
Urinary incontinence in middle-aged men is one of the most frequent reasons for consultation within the field of urology. This can be corrected by drugs in the earliest stages.
On the other hand, if the size of the gland is considerable, a resection surgery can be considered to remove the excess tissue. Another option is to widen the urethra to facilitate urination or laser surgery. However, resection surgery is the most common option because it is easy to perform and offers good results.
If it is a malignant hyperplasia, the patient must be studied in greater detail to take biopsies, see what type of cancer it is, what stage it is in, look for metastases in other areas (it usually begins with bone involvement), etc. Often the patient must be referred for an adjunctive study in oncology.
