Treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia in older men

Abstract

Background: Benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) is one of the most common diseases in ageing men; it is associated with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms that affect the individual's quality of life. This review focuses on the different available options for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in older men and on how to choose the right treatment.

Material/methods: A literature search was done to review relevant papers. Relatively recent papers, as well as those in a series or papers from expert centers, are included in the reference list.

Results: Treatment options for BPE in older men include medical therapy, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), minimally invasive treatments (ie, transurethral microwave thermotherapy, transurethral needle ablation, and laser surgery) and prostatic stenting. Age, individual anesthesiologic risk, grade of obstruction, prostate volume, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) value, treatment-related complication rate, presence of an indwelling catheter, and neurologic disorders are factors that should be taken into consideration in choosing an appropriate treatment.

Conclusions: Given the wealth of treatment options available, physicians must take care to choose the right treatment for each patient, depending on the patient's needs and medical history.