Medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate enlargement is a condition in which produces similar signs and symptoms as that of prostate cancer. However, the two conditions are not related to each other and occur due to entirely different reasons. Enlargement of the prostate occurs due to the non-cancerous growth of cells around the prostate gland. As a result, the prostate grows in size and produces symptoms similar to that of prostate cancer, for example, frequent urination and pain while urinating.
Enlarged Prostate treatment in India can be availed at any major multi-speciality or urology hospital. This treatment falls under the urology speciality since in males the urinary system and the reproductive system are closely linked. Many patients from around the world travel thousands of miles to seek prostate enlargement treatment in India. This is primarily because of the low cost of medical treatment and the accessibility of quality treatment. Moreover, there is practically no waiting time for patients who travel all the way from other countries to India.
Lyfboat makes it easy for you to get quality medical opinions and find the right healthcare providers in India for enlarged prostate treatment at best prices.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH is a benign or non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. It blocks the urine flow through the urethra. In this case, the prostate cells gradually multiply. Prostate gets enlarged that puts pressure on the urethra. This problem has several names like enlarged prostate, BPH, or simply prostate enlargement.
The National Kidney and Urological Disease Information Clearinghouse say that prostate enlargement is the most common prostate problem for men over 50. this problem keeps increasing with age. Over one-half of men have BPH by age 60, The number climbs to 90% by age 85.
The prostate bladder has to contract more forcefully to push urine through the body as the urethra narrows over time. The bladder muscle also may gradually become stronger, thicker, and overly sensitive over time. It also begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine. It causes frequent urination. The bladder muscle cannot overcome the effect of the narrowed urethra. The urine remains in the bladder and it is not completely emptied.
Symptoms of the prostate enlargement are following:
The bladder does not empty completely. Urinary tract infections can be developed. Other serious problems that can develop over time are:
In rare cases, bladder and/or kidney damage can also develop from BPH.
Some of the tests used for the diagnosis of enlarged prostate in India are similar to those used for the diagnosis and confirmation of prostate cancer. However, there are a few other confirmatory tests as well. The most commonly used diagnostic tests for prostate cancer confirmation include the following:
In this diagnostic test, the Indian doctors insert a lubricated, covered finger into the rectum of the suspected patient to reach the prostate. The finger of the doctors touches the prostate gland and feels it to check for any inflammation or abnormal growth. Upon finding out that the prostate is enlarged, the doctor may prescribe some other tests to confirm whether the enlargement is because of benign or cancerous growth.
This test is usually the second step in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and prostate enlargement. In this test, a blood sample is withdrawn from the patient and then sent to a laboratory. The laboratory technician run a test to check for PSA levels, which is a chemical produced by both cancerous and non-cancerous growth in the prostate. But the levels are quite high in case of cancer and just above normal in case of BPH.
In this test, the Indian doctor checks for how completely or quickly the patient is able to empty the full bladder. The time taken to empty the bladder, the amount of urine secreted and the time taken are some of the parameters that are noted during this test. While increased or normal urine flow indicates urine incontinence or stress, reduced flow is an indicator of prostate enlargement.
In this test, the amount of urine left in the bladder after the patient has completely urinated is measured with the help of an ultrasound. An amount exceeding 100 to 200 ml usually indicate the presence of a blockage in the urinary tract.
It is estimated that 50 percent of the men suffering from BPH eventually need a medical or surgical intervention to get relief from the symptoms of prostate enlargement. The initial stage BPH that has just spread around the urethra is typically treated with the help of medications, while more intensive BPH that has spread to the inside of the urethra is treated surgically. Here are the different treatment options for prostate enlargement available in India:
In a typical drug therapy session, two types of drugs are used to treat prostate enlargement. The first drug works by relaxing the muscles around the prostate, while the second drug shrinks the size of the growth around the prostate gland. This drug therapy for prostate enlargement treatment helps relieve the symptoms that may be present.
There are different types of surgeries that may be conducted to remove the prostate or the non-cancerous growth around the prostate that results in constriction of the urethra. Surgery is primarily conducted in cases wherein the growth has reached the inside of the urethra. The following are some of the types of surgical interventions used for the treatment of prostate enlargement:
Transurethral resection of the prostate is the most common form of surgery in which an endoscope is passed through the urethra to reach the prostate and remove the extra growth from it. It helps prevent impotence and incontinence. Recovery after TURP takes a shorter time than any other surgical intervention.
Transurethral incision of the prostate is used to make cuts on the prostate to relieve the pressure on the urethra. This procedure does not remove any tissue and is conducted usually in the case of the prostate that is only slightly enlarged.
In transurethral needle ablation, radiowaves are used to burn away extra tissues that surround the prostate. It is a short and simple procedure that result in fewer side effects.
In transurethral microwave thermotherapy, microwaves are used to destroy the extra tissues around the prostate. This is often regarded as the best option for patients who cannot undergo a major surgery.
Open prostatectomy is used when a transurethral procedure cannot be used. In this procedure, a large incision is made in the lower abdomen to completely remove the prostate gland. It is performed only in case of severe obstruction.
Open prostatectomy is typically done in following cases:
This surgery is done under general or spinal anesthesia. The recovery from prostatectomy can take a few weeks to several months. Side effects includes:
Also known as holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), prostate laser surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that makes use of the laser to destroy the cells around the prostate. During the procedure, Holmium Laser machine is used to remove the extraprostatic tissue and then seal the blood vessels. Depending upon the size of the gland, the procedure may take up to 90 minutes. Laser surgery procedures include:
There are two types of prostate enlargement, which primarily differ in the way how they grow. In the first type, the non-cancerous growth takes place around the urethra, which ends up putting a lot of pressure on the urethra and also squeezes it. This results in specific prostate enlargement symptoms.
In the second type, the non-cancerous growth takes place in the middle-lobe section. The cells end up growing inside the urethra and the outlet area of the bladder. This type is more severe and aggressive and may require a surgery for treatment.
The treatment of prostate enlargement in India depends on the initial assessment made by the doctor. That is, the doctor first identifies type of benign prostatic hyperplasia and the problems that it has been resulting in.
Indian prostate enlargement surgeons are highly qualified and skilled. A majority of them are educated and trained from the abroad. Moreover, they upgrade themselves routinely with respect to the changes in the use of medical technology and the new updates in the field of enlarged prostate surgery.
There are several hospitals for benign prostatic hyperplasia in India. These hospitals are equipped with all the modern technology, machinery and equipment used for the treatment of BPH.
The course of treatment followed at the best hospitals for prostate enlargement treatment in India may depend on the age of the patient, the kind of BPH he is suffering from and the severity of the symptoms. Accordingly, the doctor decides to make use of a technology to conduct treatment.
The Indian prostate enlargement hospitals are usually equipped with the machines used to deliver laser radiation, which is used during a laser surgery to remove the benign growth from the enlarged prostate. In addition, some of prostate cancer treatment involves the use of an endoscope, ultrasound, electric current and microwave heat to destroy or remove the non-cancerous growth altogether.
The cost of prostate enlargement treatment in India is much affordable than any other country in the world. This is despite the fact that the best hospitals for enlarged prostate treatment in India make the use of the latest cutting-edge technology and diagnostic and imaging methods to help the surgeons perform treatment effectively and efficiently.
Prostate enlargement treatment cost in India primarily depends on a number of factors. The most important factor is the use of technology. There are different tools and techniques available for benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment and the different cost is associated with the use of each type of technology. Some of these technologies are minimally invasive and they allow for faster recovery and less pain as compared to traditional open techniques. Even prostate enlargement patients from the Western countries, such as the UK and the US come to India for surgery.
A typical medical tourist saves thousands of dollars by coming to India for prostate enlargement treatment. The scenario remains the same even when all miscellaneous costs such as that of boarding, lodging, food, foreign exchange and other services are taken into account.
The cost of treatment also depends on the choice of the city where you decide to get treated. For example, the cost of trans urethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for prostate removal may cost differently in each city. A comparison of cost is given in the table below:
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