Prostate Disease

INTRODUCTION

The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It sits just below the bladder (the organ that stores urine) and in front of the rectum (the organ which is the lowermost portion of your gut and which stores your motion) the prostate is normally about the size of a walnut.

PROSTATE DISEASES

1. BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) – occurs in old age.
2. Carcinoma prostate – cancer within the prostate.
Of these BPH is more common.

What is BPH?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a condition that occurs when the prostate gland enlarges, potentially slowing or blocking the urine stream.Other names for benign prostatic hyperplasia include benign prostatic hypertrophy, an enlarged prostate, and BPH. BPH occurs only in men; approximately 8 percent of men aged 31 to 40 have BPH. In men over age 80, more than 80 percent have BPH.

Symptoms

The symptoms of BPH usually begin after age 50.The most common symptoms of BPH include:

• Frequent urination, especially at night
• A hesitant, interrupted, or weak stream of urine
• Urgency
• Leaking or dribbling of urine
• Sense of incomplete emptying

What should I do if I get any of the above symptoms?

You should immediately seek medical attention. Your doctor may perform some basic tests on you like urine and blood tests.He might also order an ultrasound of the abdomen and uroflowmetry.

What will be the treatment options?

There are two ways by means of which you may be treated. One is by medication i.e. tablets which improve the urine flow.The second way is by surgery which is usually advised when the medication becomes ineffective or in other special situations.

What is the surgical option?

The surgery which is commonly performed is TURP (transurethral resection of prostate). In this procedure, a small instrument is introduced via the natural urinary opening and the prostate is removed by cutting it into small chips. It’s a purely endoscopic procedure. Minimum of 4 days of hospital stay is required. The patient can return to work 4 days after returning home. He has to avoid strenuous activities for one month.

What is prostate cancer and what are its treatment options?

Cancer can affect the prostate.It is common above the age of 50. The usual symptoms are difficulty in passing urine, incomplete emptying of urine and slow stream of urination. Your doctor will diagnose prostate cancer by means of a blood test called PSA, MRI scan and by a biopsy (a small bit of prostate will be removed and sent for a lab test). Further treatment depends on the symptoms, stage of the disease, age and comorbidities. Treatment options may vary from surgery to medicines to radiation therapy.