Prostate adenoma, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a condition that affects many men as they age. Symptoms of prostate adenoma can range from mild to severe, and it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this condition so that you can seek medical help if needed. In this blog post, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of prostate adenoma so that you can be better informed about your health and make decisions about your care.
What is Prostate Adenoma?
Prostate adenoma, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a condition that occurs when the cells in the prostate gland grow too quickly and cause the enlargement of the gland. This results in a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate which can cause various signs and symptoms of prostate adenoma. Common Signs and symptoms of Prostate adenoma include difficulty with urination, increased urinary frequency, weak urinary stream, and urge to urinate. Other symptoms may include feeling an inability to completely empty the bladder, pain or burning during urination, frequent nighttime urination, blood in the urine, and difficulty starting a urinary stream.
Signs and Symptoms
Prostate adenoma, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a condition that affects many men as they age. It is characterized by an enlargement of the prostate gland, which can lead to difficulty urinating, increased frequency of urination, and weakened urinary stream.
The signs and symptoms of prostate adenoma vary depending on the size of the adenoma and how it is affecting the urethra. The most common signs and symptoms include:
- Difficulty starting or stopping a stream of urine
- A weak or slow urinary stream
- Dribbling after urination
- Straining to empty the bladder
- Feeling like the bladder has not emptied completely
- Waking up multiple times during the night to urinate
- Urine leakage
- Painful or burning sensation while urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Urinary tract infections
- Inability to urinate at all
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to visit your doctor as soon as possible so they can properly diagnose and treat your prostate adenoma.
Diagnosis
Prostate adenoma is typically diagnosed through a physical examination, which includes a digital rectal exam and a PSA test. During the digital rectal exam, your doctor will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum in order to feel for any lumps or enlargement of the prostate. A PSA test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood, which can indicate the presence of an adenoma. In addition, your doctor may order an ultrasound to better visualize the size and shape of your prostate.
If your doctor suspects that you have a prostate adenoma, they may recommend biopsy of the prostate tissue to determine the nature of the growth. This involves collecting a sample of tissue from the prostate, which can be done using either a transrectal or transperineal approach. Once the sample is collected, it is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
If a biopsy reveals an adenoma, then your doctor will discuss treatment options with you, such as medications to shrink the adenoma or surgery to remove it. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the size of the adenoma, your doctor may recommend periodic monitoring instead.
Treatment
When it comes to treating prostate adenoma, the first step is recognizing the signs and symptoms. A diagnosis should be made by a qualified medical professional who will be able to make an accurate assessment based on your symptoms and medical history. Once a diagnosis is made, the treatment for prostate adenoma will depend on the severity of the symptoms and the extent of the tumor.
The main treatments for prostate adenoma are:
- Medical Management – If your signs and symptoms are mild and the tumor is small, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise or medications such as alpha blockers to help reduce the size of the tumor and relieve your symptoms.
- Surgery – If your symptoms are severe and the tumor is large, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tumor. Surgery may also be recommended if the tumor is growing rapidly or has spread beyond the prostate.
- Radiation Therapy – This is a type of treatment that uses high-energy X-rays or other forms of radiation to destroy cancer cells. It can be used to shrink tumors in the prostate or to slow their growth.
If you think you may have signs and symptoms of prostate adenoma, it is important to speak to your doctor so they can accurately diagnose you and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
