Recent advances in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

The prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Taiwanese men over the age of 50 years is as high as those in Western countries. BPH significantly affects the life quality of patients. Many theories of the genesis of BPH have been reported and some effective treatments have been designed according to these theories. Adequate preoperative studies can lead to satisfactory treatment results. Medical treatments including alpha-adrenergic blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are frequently used as initial steps. Surgical treatment is necessary in more than one-quarter of patients in order to achieve good results. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURF) remains the gold standard for treatment of BPH, although laser prostatectomy may become as popular as TURF in the future. Transurethral thermotherapy with microwave is also a promising new treatment. There are many other medical or surgical treatments under investigation. Further neuroendocrine research and studies with techniques of molecular biology may offer new concepts in BPH treatment in the future.