Treatment of prostate adenoma

Prostate adenoma is a benign neoplasm. This diagnosis is made when healthy tissues of the prostate gland proliferate, leading to an increase in its size. According to the International Classification of Diseases, the correct term is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The disease occurs mainly in older men. According to statistics, the prostate gland enlarges in every second or third man after the age of 50 and in nearly 90% of men over 80. Thus, there is a strong link between the disease and age-related and hormonal changes.

The main causes of adenoma are:

• age over 45;

• hormonal disorders in the body;

• decreased testosterone levels with increased estrogen levels.

Specialists also highlight risk factors for hyperplasia, including:

• prostatitis;

• obesity;

• low physical activity;

• smoking and alcohol consumption;

• unhealthy diet.

It is believed that the prostate begins to grow after the age of 40, when a man's sex hormone levels start to decline. At the same time, for many years, a man may not notice any changes. Symptoms appear when the prostate significantly enlarges and compresses adjacent organs.

Signs of adenoma may include:

• frequent urges to urinate;

• discomfort during urination;

• weak urine stream or dribbling;

• feeling of incomplete bladder emptying;

• involuntary urine leakage;

• pain in the perineum.

These symptoms may also appear in other conditions, so a diagnosis can only be made after examination.

Depending on the size of the prostate adenoma, the disturbances it causes, and the symptoms, three stages of the disease are distinguished:

1. Compensated stage – accompanied by hypertrophy of the bladder muscles, which helps maintain the ability to empty the bladder completely. In the early stages, men notice increased nighttime urination. As hyperplasia progresses, the number of daytime urges increases, the volume of urine decreases, and the stream becomes weaker or intermittent.
2. Subcompensated stage – characterized by frequent urges to urinate and incomplete bladder emptying. Residual urine volume may reach 200 ml or more. Symptoms worsen due to bladder enlargement and dystrophic changes in its walls. Kidney function may also be impaired, and stones may form.
3. Decompensated stage – marked by bladder overfilling and overstretching, making full emptying impossible. Gradually, the patient develops urinary incontinence — urine is constantly released in small amounts. Symptoms of kidney failure intensify. Without timely treatment, this condition may become life-threatening.

At the first consultation, the doctor will listen to the patient's complaints, review their medical history, and perform a physical examination. To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, the doctor may prescribe:

• blood and urine tests;

• prostate ultrasound;

• X-ray or CT scan;

• Doppler ultrasound;

• biotensiometry;

• vasoactive test and other studies.

The treatment strategy depends on the degree of prostate hyperplasia, the presence of complications in the urinary system, and the severity of symptoms. The patient may be prescribed:

• medication therapy;

• physiotherapy procedures;

• surgical treatment.

Conservative therapy is used at early stages. It includes long-term use of medications that affect prostate tissue and function. Drugs for pain relief and symptom management are also prescribed. For better effect, some patients undergo physiotherapy procedures, particularly shockwave therapy.

Surgical treatment is used when the prostate enlarges more than twice its normal size, when urination is severely impaired, or when other complications arise. During the operation, the surgeon removes part of the prostate tissue, which helps eliminate painful symptoms. Today, such procedures are mainly performed using minimally invasive techniques, reducing damage to healthy tissue and shortening the recovery period.

An enlarged prostate compresses adjacent organs, which can lead to dysfunction and other unpleasant consequences.

The most common complications of prostate adenoma include:

• acute urinary retention – caused by compression of the urethra;

• inflammation of the urethra, bladder, or kidneys – urine retention creates conditions for infection and inflammation;

• urolithiasis – due to incomplete bladder emptying, mineral deposits accumulate and may form stones;

• varicose veins in the bladder neck.

Complications typically appear in the later stages of the disease. They can be avoided with timely consultation with a urologist and the start of treatment.

To prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia, it is recommended to:

• avoid hormonal imbalances;

• give up bad habits;

• maintain a healthy weight;

• eat a balanced diet;

• undergo a urologist exam once a year.

At Oxford Medical, highly qualified doctors with many years of experience provide care. With advanced equipment from leading global manufacturers, they carry out accurate diagnostics and treatment of all male health conditions.

Prostate adenoma treatment begins with conservative methods. Surgery is used only in complex cases. Operations are performed in a modern high-tech surgical center using minimally invasive techniques.

For more information and to schedule a consultation, call the Oxford Medical contact center or message us in the website chat.