New laser light vaporizes prostate tissue

Laser evaporation as an aid in disturbance of bladder emptying

30/04/2014

When men often „have to“, is often a benign enlargement of the prostate responsible. Even men from the mid-30s are affected by it and from 50 years already suffers every second man. Gentle procedures, such as laser treatment, can help sufferers.

One in two of the over-50s suffer from prostate enlargement
Often, the bladder is first suspected when men frequently „have to“. But usually a benign enlargement of the prostate is responsible. Already men from the mid-30s are affected by it and from the age of 50 already affects every second man, with the result that can hardly be slept through a night because of the frequent urinary urgency and discomfort when urinating. New gentle procedures, such as laser vaporization of the tissue, can help reduce the risks of traditional surgery. The Thuringian University Hospital has already been running the university for almost a year „Green light laser“ the latest generation. This does not require a long hospital stay.

Annoying nocturnal gear to the toilet
The Director of the Department of Urology at the University Hospital Jena (UKJ), Professor Marc-Oliver Grimm was involved in one of the first major international studies on the new laser process. The specialist explained what exactly happens with benign prostate enlargement: „The urethra begins just below the bladder. It is surrounded by the prostate, also known as the prostate gland. During the aging process, the prostate gland may enlarge: the extra tissue then narrows the urethra and presses on the bladder.“ But not only the annoying nocturnal walk to the toilet is one of the consequences of the disease, but also a weakening of the urinary stream and an incomplete bladder emptying. In addition, an increased risk of infection could go along with it. The medical term for a benign prostate enlargement is: „Benign prostatic hyperplasia“.

Laser achieves equivalent result as an OP
In recent years, in addition to the surgical procedure, ie an operation in which the prostate is reduced in size, also gentle, minimally invasive procedures have been established. It is the „Green light laser“ a treatment option in which the tissue vaporizes, ie evaporates. However, anesthesia is also necessary here. The Jena urologist explained: „However, the procedure is much gentler than a surgical resection, normally patients can leave the clinic in less than five days. The Europe-wide study, in which the Uniklinik Jena was the only clinic in Thuringia involved, was able to clearly demonstrate that the use of lasers can achieve a result that is qualitatively equivalent to surgery - without the burden of a conventional surgery.“ The laser treatment at the UKJ takes about one hour. Since the latest generation of lasers has a broadened laser beam, the operating time is shortened.

Third treatment option is particularly suitable for certain patients
At the University Hospital Jena, there is a third treatment option besides surgery and laser treatment. These are the „Prostate embolization“, in which patients are looked after jointly by urologists and radiologists. In this radiological method, a catheter is pushed over the groin into the prostate vein under local anesthesia. Then tiny plastic spheres, so-called microparticles, interrupt the blood and oxygen supply in the tumor, the vessels become desolate. The prostate shrinks within a few weeks and the symptoms diminish. Grimm explained: „This low-risk and minimally invasive variant is particularly suitable for patients who also suffer from other diseases, e.g. Hemophiliacs are or can not get anesthesia.“

Individual medical advice for those concerned important
It has to be decided on a case-by-case basis which option is best for which patient. Professor Grimm says: „First and foremost, individual medical consultation and patient decision-making are important.“ As natural means stand for the therapy of the „Benign prostate syndrome“ Also available are some pharmacy-only herbal supplements, such as extracts of sawtooth palm fruits (Serenoa repens, Sabal serrulata) and nettle roots (Urtica dioica) or their combination. However, a few years ago, a US study showed that extract from saw palmetto fruit had no effect beyond the placebo effect in patients with prostate hyperplasia. (Sb)

Picture: Lothar Wandtner