Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – a Known – Unknown Disease

Overview

Authors give an overview of the current approaches to diagnostics and therapy of the benign hyperplasia of theprostate (BPH). The up-to-date diagnostic possibilities are cited in the relation to our health care system and theprocedures of conservative and surgical treatment of BPH are outlined. In epidemiology and diagnostics of BPH,one has always to consider the possibility of prostate cancer (PC), which may have similar symptoms, particularlyin initial stages. If prostate cancer were found, it could be successfully cured at this stage only. Drug therapy or BPHenables in most cases at least temporarily to resign on surgical treatment. Patients t reated with alphablockers regularlyspeak about an improved quality of life regarding previous micturition troubles. To diagnose BPH, the complexurological examination is needed, including some laboratory tests (prostate specific antigen PSA, uroflowmetryUFM). The article is supplemented with a graph of latest available figures referring to the number of TURPsperformed annually and a table showing the list of methods for the minimal invasive surgical treatment of BPH.

Key words:
begin hyperplasia of the prostate, transurethral resection of the prostate, manual rectal examination,prostate specific antigen.