Role of TURP in Prostate Cancer

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is a surgery used in treating prostrate cancer and urinary problems due to an enlarged prostate. This type of surgery generally considered an option for men with early stage prostrate cancer and also for  moderate to severe urinary problems that haven’t responded to medication. Traditionally, TURP has been considered the most effective treatment for an enlarged prostate and prostrate cancers.

TURP also helps to reduce the following urine-related “symptoms”  caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH):

• Frequency in the urination (especially at night) or difficulty to start the urination
• Stopping and starting again while urinating
• The feeling you are not able to completely empty your bladder
• Urinary tract infections

This surgery is also possibly done to treat or prevent complications due to blocked urine flow such as:

• Recurring urinary tract infections
• Damage to either kidney or bladder
• Inability to control urination or an inability to urinate at all
• Bladder stones
• The presence of blood in your urine

Treatment

Before surgery, your doctor might recommend you to refrain from taking medications that increase your risk of bleeding that include blood thinning medicines as well as non-prescription pain relievers.

The treatment of TURP is less time consuming which is generally ninety minutes maximum. Before surgery you’ll be given either general anesthesia (you will be unconscious during the procedure) or spinal anesthesia (you will remain conscious). A dose of antibiotics could also be given to you to prevent infection. During the procedure, the resectoscope is inserted into the tip of your penis and extended through your urethra and into the prostate area. The use of resectoscope is to trim tissue from the inside of your prostate gland which is done as one small piece at a time. As small pieces of tissue are cut from inside your prostate, irrigating fluid carries them into your bladder. They are removed at the end of the operation. After the procedure, you may have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days. A swelling may occur that blocks urine flow. Therefore, a urinary catheter is placed. The catheter is generally left in place for at least twenty four to forty eight hours. Once the swelling starts declining, you will not require any assistance to urinate. TURP results in most men experiencing a significantly stronger urine flow within a few days. Follow-up treatment to ease symptoms is sometimes needed, particularly after passing several years.