Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Perennial Plague of the Prostate

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in middle-aged and older men. BPH is the most prevalent non-malignant urological disorder. Nearly three hundred years ago, an enlarged prostate was recognized to cause urinary retention. LUTS include inconsistent urine flow, partial or complete urine retention, increased urinary frequency, difficulty emptying the bladder, nocturia, and dysuria. BPH is not a life-threatening condition; however, increased severity can cause urinary tract infections, bleeding, bladder stones, and kidney damage. BPH diagnosis is made by symptom score, quality-oflife (QoL) score, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasonography, cystoscopy, and uroflowmetry. Age, genetics, and other factors, including lifestyle, affect BPH development and progression. Conservative treatment for BPH includes watchful waiting, pharmacological intervention, and specific lifestyle changes. There are a variety of surgical interventions available, the choice of which is based upon several factors. However, surgical intervention is a last resort for BPH treatment and is used primarily refractory from medications or in severe symptoms and complications. Invasive techniques include minimally invasive therapy and novel treatment modalities, as described in this paper.