Private MD News

Laser treatment for enlarged prostate shown to be effective option

Category: Prostate

For men whose PSA tests reveal that they have benign prostatic hyperplasia, getting the problem treated is key to ensuring good long-term health. However, many men avoid treatment due to fears of side effects.

A new study from researchers at McGill University has found that non-invasive treatment techniques such as Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP), or laser treatment, may help reduce a man’s enlarged prostate without much risk of side effects.

An enlarged prostate is a common part of aging for most men. However, in some individuals it can become too large and pose risks to other areas of health, requiring treatment.

The most common drawback of non-invasive treatments like HoLEP is that recipients frequently require extra treatment. However, after studying the medical records of 1,000 men who had the procedure, the team found that less than 1 percent of patients need another procedure within 10 years.

The researchers said that their findings show how effective non-invasive treatments can be. When these benefits are combined with the fact that they have a lower risk of side effects, men who have unhealthy PSA tests may want to consider seeking this type of treatment.