How is benign prostatic hyperplasia diagnosed?

The prostate is an organ that belongs to the male genitourinary system and its growth is uninterrupted throughout life. For this reason, men who live long enough are condemned to suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia. 

Cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia will multiply in the coming years due to improvements in the world of medicine and the consequent ageing of the population. It is therefore very important to be aware of the importance of knowing the symptoms and the need to see a doctor for regular check-ups.

During regular check-ups, the doctor performs a series of diagnostic tests to determine whether a patient has Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Some of these diagnostic tests are also valid for detecting prostate cancer, as is the case with digital rectal examination.

The following are some diagnostic tests for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia:

Rectal examination

This is perhaps the best known test for detecting possible abnormalities in the prostate. It is a painless test that takes only a few seconds and is one of the most useful tests for the early diagnosis of prostate problems. Thanks to this test it is possible to detect:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia. If there are symptoms such as difficulty urinating, intermittent urination and even acute urinary retention, the doctor will perform a test to feel the prostate. In the case of benign prostatic hyperplasia, the doctor will feel an elastic prostate instead of the usual soft prostate.
• Prostate cancer. It usually has no symptoms and is not normally associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. During a digital rectal examination, the doctor will feel a prostate with rigid nodules, which is a symptom of cancer. This is why the digital rectal examination is a key factor in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer and all men over the age of 50 should undergo this test annually to prevent it. There is no analytical data that can replace this diagnostic technique for prostate cancer, not even PSA.
• Prostatitis. Although rare, the prostate can become infected by a urinary tract infection. Rectal examination would cause pain in the prostate, which would facilitate diagnosis.

IPSS Questionnaire (International Prostate Symptom Questionnaire)

This questionnaire allows the doctor to quickly and easily define the stage of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Through a series of questions that the patient must answer honestly, the doctor will determine whether any specific treatment is necessary.

Blood test (Determining PSA)

PSA is a prostate-specific antigen, which is moderately elevated in the presence of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. The doctor will take into account the PSA concentration in the blood as well as the size of the prostate gland.

Prostate ultrasound

This diagnostic test allows the doctor to determine the exact measurements of the prostate. In order to perform the test, the bladder must be full so that the image of the prostate is completely clear. 

It can be performed by placing the device on the abdomen or by inserting it into the rectum, which allows a very close study of the prostate. This examination does not involve any discomfort or pain.

If the patient suffers from symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, one of the most effective solutions is prostate reduction surgery. This is due to the fact that this gland does not stop growing, reaching a point at which medication ceases to be effective and the quality of life deteriorates significantly.

There are different types of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia reduction operations. Although they are all effective and serve the purpose of reducing the size of the prostate, the most comfortable, effective and recommendable alternative is the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia surgery with Thulium Laser. 

This technique avoids the postoperative problems of impotence or incontinence that can occur with, for example, transurethral resection of the prostate or open or laparoscopic surgery. In addition, it reduces the catheterisation time and hospital stay to just over 24 hours generally, as opposed to the 3 to 10 days of stay with the other techniques.