Enlarged Prostate

Throughout a man’s life, his prostate may become larger and start to cause problems as he ages.

The prostate, part of the male reproductive system, is about the same size and shape as a walnut and weighs about an ounce. It is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum, and surrounds the urethra, the tube-like structure that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis. The main function of the prostate is to produce ejaculatory fluid.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), is a common urological condition caused by the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland in aging men. As the prostate enlarges, it can squeeze down on the urethra. This can cause men to have trouble urinating leading to the symptoms of BPH.

Risk factors for developing BPH include increasing age and a family history of BPH.

Since the prostate surrounds the urethra just below the bladder, its enlargement can result in symptoms that irritate or obstruct the bladder. A common symptom is the need to frequently empty the bladder, sometimes as often as every one to two hours, especially at night. Other symptoms include the sensation that the bladder is not empty, even after a man is done urinating, or that a man cannot postpone urination once the urge to urinate arises. BPH can cause a weak urinary stream, dribbling of urine, or the need to stop and start urinating several times when the bladder is emptied. BPH can cause trouble in starting to urinate, often requiring a man to push or strain in order to urinate. In extreme cases, a man might not be able to urinate at all, which is an emergency that requires prompt attention.

Please contact us to schedule an appointment.

To learn more about this condition we recommend you visit the following website:

In-Office Treatments for Prostatic Enlargement

In-office, non-surgical therapy is available for an enlarged prostate. The advantages are that it affords relief of urinary symptoms without the need for undergoing an invasive procedure, and does not require general anesthesia or hospitalization. The advantage of in-office treatments is that in most cases prostate medication will no longer be necessary. We have evaluated various forms of in-office procedures and feel that Microwave therapy and TUNA are the most suitable. The treatment types are very different and only your urologist can advise you on which would be most suitable for you.

Cooled ThermoTherapy™

Available since 1997, Cooled ThermoTherapy™ is a non-surgical, office-based prostate therapy used to treat BPH in a 30-minute procedure. Cooled ThermoTherapy™ uses precisely targeted microwave energy to heat and destroy enlarged prostate tissue, while a cooling mechanism protects healthy, surrounding tissue. This non-surgical BPH treatment is performed on an outpatient basis and requires local anesthesia and/or oral medications. Within weeks, the majority of men notice improvements in their symptoms and overall quality of life.

More than 225,000 patients worldwide have been treated with Cooled ThermoTherapy.™

We will be glad to provide you with a DVD describing and showing the procedure in greater detail.

Prolieve® Thermodilatation® System

The Prolieve Thermodilatation System is a minimally invasive BPH symptom treatment. The thermodilatation technology simultaneously heats the prostate while dilating the urethra. The treatment is generally well-tolerated by patients and most do not require post-treatment catheterization.

The physician will insert a catheter into your urethra. When microwave energy is turned on, it will be transmitted from a special antenna inside the catheter to provide continuous heat to your prostate. The heat will reduce the enlarged tissue of your prostate. A small balloon that is also part of the catheter will inflate within the section of the urethra close to where the prostate is located. The inflated balloon will cause the tissue to expand. During the entire 45-minute procedure, warm water will be circulating inside the catheter through your urethra. For your safety, the Prolieve System’s computer monitors the temperature surrounding the treatment area by means of a rectal temperature monitor. If the temperature reaches 42°C, the system will shut off automatically.

We would be happy to provide you with a DVD that describes and shows the procedure in further detail.

Please contact us to schedule an appointment.

Prostiva

Prostiva is a minimally invasive office based procedure used to treat BPH, prostatic enlargement and male urinary problems. It is done with local anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes. It is done under direct vision so the urologists can focus the energy on the parts of the prostate that is causing blockage.

Prositva uses radio frequency energy and is also known as transurethral needle ablation therapy (TUNA). It provides many of the benefits of traditional TURP without the need to undergo general anesthesia and hospitalization. Most activities can be resumed in days.

Videos and brochures are available in our office. Click the link for more details:

Prostiva Therapy

GreenLight™ and Other Laser Procedures for the Prostate

Laser procedures for treatment of prostate enlargement are an alternative to traditional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Instead of the excess prostate tissue being removed by traditional techniques, it is vaporized using laser energy. The laser is delivered through a visual scope inserted through the penis and the beam is aimed by the surgeon at the obstructive tissue. The procedure requires anesthesia and is done in a hospital or surgery center. Patients may go home on the same day or after staying overnight.

GreenLight™ laser is one type of laser frequently used.

Please ask for a complementary DVD showing and detailing this procedure when visiting our office.

Enlarged Prostate

Men's Health