Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

1. What is BPH?
   BPH stands for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. It is a condition of enlargement of the prostate gland. This condition sometimes causes urinary problems.



2. What are the symptoms of BPH?
   Some symptoms of an enlarged prostate include urinary frequency, urgency with urination, weak or interrupted urinary stream and possible urinary retention.



3. What are the surgical treatments for an enlarged prostate gland?
   A common form of treatment for an enlarged prostate is surgical procedures. A transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) means that a urologic surgeon, with the use of a cystoscope, will resect or cut a portion of prostate tissue that interferes with urination, and this will help to alleviate the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Another less invasive procedure is the transurethral needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA). The prostate is heated with radio frequency needles and this destroys the prostate tissue that constricts the urethra, and BPH symptoms are resolved. The transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) uses a small probe in the penis to heat and destroy prostate tissue.



4. Can BPH cause prostate cancer?
   Having enlargement of the prostate does not increase the risk for developing prostate cancer.



5. Do I need treatment for BPH if the symptoms are not causing any problems with urination?
   No treatment for prostate enlargement is needed if there is no difficulty with urination (retention), infections, or significant urinary problems.



6. How is BPH diagnosed?
   Prostate enlargement can be diagnosed during a routine digital rectal examination. Also, a urologist may administer a urinary flow test to determine the severity of urinary blockage.



7. When should BPH be treated?
   BPH only requires treatment if the symptoms are severe enough to be bothersome, or if the flow of urine has been interrupted.



8. What are the medications used to treat enlarged prostate?
   There are various medications utilized to treat enlarged prostate. Alpha Blockers are medications that can relax the muscle tissue in the prostate and in this way, relief may take place and urine flow will be restored. Examples of these medications include Cardura, Flomax, and Hytrin. These medications usually work quickly. The other medications partially shrink the enlarged prostate by lowering the amount of male testosterone. This medication, called Proscar, may reduce the symptoms of BPH. It works slowly however, and may cause some sexual difficulty.



9. Can enlarged prostate cause impotence?
   BPH generally does not interfere with sexual function. Surgery for BPH does not interfere with a man’s sexual functioning. However, some men may experience some erectile dysfunction, particularly if they have pre-existing erectile problems. Most men get retrograde ejaculation, which means it may not be possible to father children naturally. Retrograde ejaculation means semen is ejaculated backward into the bladder rather than being expelled through the penis.

Prostatitis

1. What causes prostatitis?
   Prostatitis is a bacterial infection of the prostate gland. Infections by bacteria or other organisms cause prostatic inflammation in 50%-70% of men. Prostate infections are usually caused by a bladder infection. Prostatitis may also be caused by sexual contact with someone who is infected with a sexually transmitted disease. Another cause of prostatitis is inflammation caused by a chemical reaction caused by BPH. If the urine flow is inhibited by BPH, a urinary reflux may occur and irritate the tissues of the prostate.



2. What are the symptoms of prostatitis?
   Signs of prostatitis may mimic BPH, and could include chills or fever, frequency in urination, pain with urination, and tenderness in the prostate area.



3. What type of treatment is needed for prostatitis?
   Most treatment options for prostatitis depend upon the type of prostatitis diagnosed. About 60% of all cases of chronic prostatitis clear up with antibiotics for 7 to 14 days or a regimen of antibiotics for 4 to 12 weeks.



4. How is prostatitis diagnosed?
   Prostatitis could be diagnosed during a routine digital rectal examination, a prostate massage, or a urine test. A needle biopsy of the prostate may also determine the presence of prostatitis. An elevated PSA may also be indicative of prostatitis.



5. Does prostatitis mean cancer?
   Prostatitis is an infection of the prostate that can be caused by bacteria or unknown factors. While prostatitis and prostatitis and cancer may exist at the same time, oftentimes prostatitis could be treated with medications.



6. Can prostatitis be passed on to a sexual partner?
   Prostatitis is not a contagious disease that could be passed to a sexual partner. Bacteria in the semen however, maybe transmitted unless condoms are used.

Prostate Cancer

1. Could a man have prostate cancer and show no ill effects of the cancer?
   It is quite possible that a man could have prostate cancer and display no physical symptoms of the cancer.



2. What are the symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
   Prostate cancer is primarily diagnosed in the early stages when a man is asymptomatic (showing no effects of prostate cancer), which makes it difficult for a majority of men to understand. A man with an advanced staged prostate cancer may display some of the following conditions—urinary frequency, straining with urination, pelvic pain or pain in the lower back.



3. What is metastatic prostate cancer?
   Metastatic disease refers to cancer that has spread to the bone. Some bone pain may be controlled through the use of medications.