Open Access

ARTICLE

Management of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia-today

Jack Barkin

Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Humber River Regional Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Address correspondence to Dr. Jack Barkin, Chief of Staff, Humber River Regional Hospital, 960 Lawrence Avenue West, Suite 404, Toronto, Ontario M6A 3B5 Canada

Canadian Journal of Urology 2008, 15(6), 4353-4358.

Abstract

Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the commonest causes of men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We can fi nd this in 50% of men over the age of fi fty. If BPH is not treated, then one can expect that the disease will progress in a signifi cant number of individuals. What we need to do is try to predict, based on certain baseline parameters such as International Prostate Score (IPSS), prostate volume, prostate-specifi c antigen (PSA) and the degree of bother, those men to whom we should offer therapy. The other consideration is that combination therapy of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) and an alpha blocker, may provide the best results for the prevention of progression of the disease or ultimately, the need for surgery. The fi nal considerations are “if”, for “how long” and “for whom” should combination therapy be utilized.

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Keywords

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