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Benign prostate hyperplasia NEW YORK (August 27, 1998 01:02 a.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) -- Benign prostate hyperplasia, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, occurs as men age. By the time men reach the age of 60, almost half will experience symptoms due to an enlarged prostate. Although not life-threatening, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), if left untreated, can cause numerous problems, including slow and frequent urination, bleeding, infection, bladder stones, inability to urinate and kidney failure. The prostate, a walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum, is the gland that secretes a fluid that makes up part of the semen, which carries sperm produced by the testicles. The prostate surrounds the first few inches of the urethra, the tube through which both urine and sperm exit the body. For unknown reasons, the prostate starts to enlarge by the time a man reaches middle age. The first symptoms of BPH occur when the enlarged prostate begins to block the flow of urine. Initially, a man may have difficulty starting to urinate, and because the bladder doesn't empty completely each time, urination is more frequent. Complete blockage can make it impossible to urinate, leading to severe pain in the lower abdomen. Despite its common occurrence, the personal nature of benign prostate hyperplasia embarrasses many men and often keeps them from getting quick, painless examinations that can detect the disorder soon enough for effective treatment. Additional examinations could be life-saving in the detection of prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute recommend that every man over 40 have a digital rectal examination as part of his annual physical checkup. The exam enables the physician to feel for any prostate abnormality. Many experts also recommend that men 50 and older undergo an annual blood test that screens for prostate cancer. This test measures the levels of prostate- specific antigen (PSA), a substance that is usually elevated in people with prostate cancer and may be elevated in those with BPH. Once BPH is diagnosed, physicians may recommend any one of a variety of medications to treat moderate symptoms, including drugs called alpha adrenergic blockers that help relax the muscles around the prostate and improve urine flow. Other drugs, known as 5 alpha reductase inhibitors, slow the growth of non-cancerous tissue and can halt the progression of BPH. For severe symptoms that do not respond to medication, the physician may recommend a surgical procedure known as TURP, or transurethral resection, in which the enlarged prostate is reduced to remove any blockage and restore urination. TURP is the most commonly performed prostate surgery to remove obstructing tissue. Other surgical remedies may include an open prostatectomy to remove a very large prostate, microwave therapy in which heat is applied to shrink the prostate, or laser surgery to remove portions of the prostate. One experimental procedure utilizes high frequency radio waves to destroy obstructing prostate tissue rapidly and painlessly. Dr. Herbert Lepor is professor of urology and chairman of the department of urology at New York University School of Medicine. by Herbert Lepor Copyright 1998 Nando.net Copyright 1998 The Associated Press a new voice: http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/janet/index.htm 51/10 - almonte/ontario/canada - [log in to unmask] janet paterson