BPH is a condition in which the prostate gland is enlarged due to benign (noncancerous) reasons. It often makes it difficult to completely empty the bladder because BPH blocks the urine outlet.
The bladder has to work harder to overcome the blockage. The stream will get weaker, and eventually, the bladder will not be able to empty completely. When this happens, urine remains in the bladder, which fills faster and makes you need to go to the bathroom more often.
The main symptoms of BPH are hesitancy to start urination, more frequent urination, poor stream, nightly urination and the urge to urinate. Complications of BPH include the formation of stones in the bladder, infection of the bladder or prostate (or both) and inability to void at all (urinary retention).
An evaluation of your condition and the seriousness of your symptoms will determine the best treatment for you.
When your symptoms are mild to moderate, medical treatment (oral medications) is the option of choice. Re-evaluations are necessary from time to time to check the status of your prostate (and rule out prostate cancer). This type of management - while available at the Minimally Invasive Urology Institute - is usually done by your primary urologist or primary care physician.
The Minimally Invasive Urology Institute specializes in new technologies to manage more severe BPH symptoms or for patients with associated medical conditions who need a multidisciplinary approach.
For moderate to severe symptoms of BPH - usually in patients who had been doing quite well on medications for some time - you may be able to choose between tissue modification technology, such as TUMT or TUNA, or tissue removal techniques, such as TURP, TUEVAP or Ho-LEP.
TUMT shrinks prostate tissue over time and opens the blocking of the prostate using heat from a microwave device. While you are under sedation, a catheter is passed into the urethra. The prostate tissues are heated under computer control for 30 to 60 minutes a session. A bladder catheter will be emplaced and left for five to seven days. This is an outpatient procedure. Re-evaluations are needed from time to time to check the status of your prostate (and rule out prostate cancer). This follow-up - while available at the Minimally Invasive Urology Institute - is usually done by your own urologist.
TUNA applies radiofrequency electrical current to the prostate. The current heats the prostate tissue, shrinking it over time and opening the blockage. While you are under sedation or general anesthesia, a probe is passed into the urethra. Needles are inserted into the prostate tissues with endoscopic assistance. The prostate tissues are heated under computer control for 15 to 30 minutes a session. A bladder catheter will be emplaced and left for five to seven days. This is an outpatient procedure. Re-evaluations are needed from time to time to check the status of your prostate (and rule out prostate cancer). This follow-up - while available at the Minimally Invasive Urology Institute - is usually done by your own urologist.
TURP is the traditional method of endoscopic removal of prostate tissue. Under anesthesia (general or regional) a miniature camera is passed into the urethra, and an electrical current loop is used to remove prostate tissue. This procedure requires a one- to two-day stay in the hospital.
The bladder catheter is usually removed before the patient leaves the hospital. Re-evaluations are needed from time to time to check the status of your prostate (and rule out prostate cancer). This follow-up - while available at the Minimally Invasive Urology Institute - is usually done by your own urologist.
TUEVAP is a newer modification of the traditional TURP. Electrical current in a roller ball or special wire loop vaporizes the prostate tissue. There is less bleeding than with TURP because the procedure closes the small blood vessels in the prostate tissue.
Patients can leave the hospital the same day or next morning. The bladder catheter is usually removed the morning after treatment. Re-evaluations are needed from time to time to check the status of your prostate (and rule out prostate cancer). This follow-up - while available at the Minimally Invasive Urology Institute - is usually done by your own urologist.
The Minimally Invasive Urology Institute specializes in treating patients who have had failed previous treatment attempts, very large stones, strictures or tumors. Patients with bleeding disorders or gross obesity are also treated at the Institute.
