title: Benign prostatic hyperplasia: surgical versus nonsurgical treatment. A critical review.
abstract: With the advent of new treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the urologist must objectively assess the results of new and traditional therapeutic options. This requires three sets of data-not all of which may be readily available-including a precise knowledge of the natural history of BPH; an objective assessment of the results of surgery, both open and transurethral; and an accurate estimate of objective and subjective results of medical treatment based on randomized studies with a placebo arm. The two types of medical treatment available are hormonal and neuropharmacologic manipulation. Hormonal treatment, using agents such as luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists or antiandrogens, reduces the volume of the epithelial component of the prostate, but urodynamic improvement does not always parallel volumetric reduction. Neuropharmacologic treatment using alpha-blockers alone or in combination with anticholinergic agents has no effect on prostatic volume, but reduces the tone of the muscular component.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boccon-Gibod
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002404:Catheterization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D010276:Parasympatholytics