Does prostate enlargement require surgery?

Ask:

My father is 67 years old and has been diagnosed with prostate enlargement. Does he need surgery or can he be treated with medication? Can you please advise?

Hoai Thanh (Hanoi)

Illustration photo.

BSCK II. Nguyen Quang Khoi, Center for Nephrology, Urology and Dialysis, Bach Mai Hospital answered:

Most cases of prostate enlargement (80%) are well controlled by medical treatment such as: Prostate-reducing drugs (5-alpha reductase inhibitors); Urinary tract muscle relaxants, supporting symptom relief.

Cases that do not require surgical intervention are: Patients with mild to moderate symptoms that do not seriously affect daily activities; patients with poor health who are not eligible for anesthesia or surgery.

The choice of surgical treatment will be based on many factors: Prostate size, age, overall health status, severity of symptoms...

Surgery is indicated when there are dangerous complications such as acute urinary retention; kidney failure due to long-term urinary tract obstruction; recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder stones. Severe symptoms that do not improve despite taking the correct medication regimen affect quality of life.

There are 3 criteria to decide whether surgery is necessary or not, which are: Age and overall health, if the patient is young and in good health, early surgery can be considered to prevent complications; prostate size, if the gland is too large (>80g) it often responds poorly to medication.

Patients with complications of benign prostatic hyperplasia: urinary retention, renal failure, recurrent bladder stones, recurrent urinary tract infections, persistent hematuria and patient's wishes.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/phi-dai-tuyen-tien-liet-co-can-phau-thuat-192250317225018888.htm