A 5-year retrospective analysis of 5α-reductase inhibitors in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: finasteride has comparable urinary symptom efficacy and prostate volume reduction, but less sexual side effects and breast complications than dutasteride.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated 5-year safety, efficacy and prostate volume data from BPH patients treated with finasteride or dutasteride. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 378 consecutive men treated with 5α-reductase inhibitor monotherapy between January 2004 and September 2009 (197 on finasteride and 211 on dutasteride) in a single clinic was performed. Efficacy assessments included International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostate volume (PV). Safety assessments included International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and adverse events. Patients were evaluated at 3 months, 1 year and yearly thereafter. RESULTS: Mean age of the group was 58.7 ± 6.7 years. Maintenance of therapy at 5 years was 57.4% and 42.5% for the finasteride and dutasteride groups respectively. Changes in IPSS, Qmax, PVR, PV and PSA were similar for both groups at 5 years. The incidence of erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction and decreased libido resulting in discontinuation from therapy was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the dutasteride (5.1%, 2.4%, 2.7% respectively) compared with the finasteride (2.1%, 1.8%, 1.4% respectively) group. In addition, the incidence of self-reported breast tenderness and/or enlargement was significantly (p < 0.01) greater in the dutasteride (3.5%) compared with the finasteride (1.2%) group. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis of data from consecutive patients treated at a single clinic, both finasteride and dutasteride were effective therapies for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms. However, dutasteride resulted in significantly more sexual side effects and breast complications than finasteride.

Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate.

In this report, we discuss the basic equipment, electrosurgical techniques, and achievable effects with electrovaporization of the prostate and summarize follow-up data in patients who underwent electrovaporization for treatment of prostatism. Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate combines electrosurgical vaporization and desiccation to remove obstructive hyperplastic prostatic tissue with minimal morbidity. A special electrosurgical modification involves a grooved roller electrode with a large surface area and multiple edges of contact that allow high current density to be delivered to an extensive area of tissue to be vaporized. This device fits standard resectoscopic equipment, and its use requires no special skills other than those needed for conventional transurethral resection of the prostate. Data analysis on a personal series of 114 patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia who were treated with electrovaporization showed a decrease in symptoms, an increase in urinary flow rates, and rapid convalescence, similar to results in other published studies. Thus, clinical experience with transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate has shown efficacy similar to that for transurethral resection of the prostate but with considerably reduced morbidity. Extended follow-up of larger numbers of patients is needed to assess the durability of this procedure.

Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate: a novel method for treating men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the preliminary safety and efficacy of transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TVP) using the VaporTrode as a therapeutic alternative in the management of men with bladder outlet obstruction. METHODS: Twenty-five men (mean age, 63.5 +/- 3.1 years) with mild to moderate symptoms of prostatism underwent TVP since August 1994. Patients were assessed at baseline for both safety and efficacy and in follow-up at 1 week and 1 and 3 months. Efficacy parameters evaluated included operative time (in minutes), change in hematocrit and serum sodium, postoperative catheterization time, American Urological Association symptom score, peak uroflow (Qmax) and postvoid residual urine. Safety parameters evaluated included incidence of side effects, changes in serum sodium and hematocrit, and evaluation of sexual function. RESULTS: Symptoms decreased from 17.8 to 5.9 and 4.2 at 1 and 3 months, respectively (P < 0.01). Qmax increased from 7.4 to 15.3 and 17.3 mL/s at 1 and 3 months, respectively (P < 0.02). Mean operative time was 40.3 minutes; mean interval to catheter removal was 14.6 hours. Changes in serum parameters included a 0.9 mL/dL decrease in hematocrit and a 1.1 mEq/L change in sodium. Complications of the procedure included mild hematuria (n = 3) and distal bulbar urethral stricture (n = 1). There were no associated significant postprocedure irritative symptoms and no patient required recatheterization. CONCLUSIONS: TVP is a new and potentially useful modification of performing transurethral resection of the prostate. In this preliminary study, there has been significant clinical improvement maintained with minimal morbidity. This early clinical experience highlights several potential advantages of TVP, including significantly lower cost and minimal postoperative irritative symptom score. Currently, a multicenter clinical trial is under way to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of TVP.

Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate: one-year experience.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the safety and efficacy of transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TVP) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. METHODS: A prospective trial of 114 consecutive patients who underwent TVP since August 1994 was conducted. The mean follow-up period was 12.3 months. Parameters evaluated included American Urological Association symptom score (Sx), peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), operative time, postoperative catheterization time, length of hospital stay, and loss of days from work. RESULTS: Of the 109 men available for follow-up, Sx decreased from 16.7 to 7.3, 6.5, 6.3, and 5.4 at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively (P < 0.001), whereas Qmax increased from 7.9 to 14.8, 15.6, 16.7, and 16.5 mL/s at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively (P < 0.001). Mean catheterization time was 10.4 hours; mean hospital period was 0.9 days, and average loss of days from work was 5.6. Complications included intermittent postoperative hematuria in 65 patients (57%). Clot retention in 6 (5%), and bulbar urethral stricture in 2 (2%). Of 74 men who were potent preoperatively, none had postoperative erectile dysfunction; retrograde ejaculation was noted in 62 (84%). Significant postoperative irritative symptoms were reported in 10 men (9%). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of 1-year follow-up data, this study demonstrates that TVP is a safe and effective modality for treating lower urinary tract symptoms. However, longer, prospective, blinded studies are needed to determine efficacy relative to transurethral resection of the prostate.

Comparison of fascial and vaginal wall slings in the management of intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

OBJECTIVES: To compare safety and efficacy of fascial versus vaginal wall slings in the management of women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). METHODS: The hospital and office records of 79 consecutive women with ISD were retrospectively analyzed from January 1991 to September 1995. There were 43 fascial slings (group A) and 36 vaginal wall slings (group B). Parameter of evaluation included efficacy based on postoperative presence of stress or urge incontinence and number of pads used, complications, and miscellaneous factors, including length of catheterization time, length of hospitalization, quantity of analgesics used, and loss of work days. RESULTS: Baseline clinical and urodynamic data were the same for both groups. Pad use decreased from 6.9 to 0.6 for group A and from 5.7 to 0.3 for group B. Persistent stress and urge incontinence was present in 5% and 16% of group A patients and in 3% and 11% of group B patients, respectively. Group A (89%) and group B (94%) patients were either very satisfied or satisfied with their surgical outcome. The operative time, hospital days, and days lost from work for group B patients (42.3 +/- 13.4 minutes, 1.4 +/- 0.9 days, 18.4 +/- 3.2 days, respectively) were significantly lower than for group A patients (84.2 +/- 17.8 minutes, 3.7 +/- 1.9 days, 28.4 +/- 7.8 days, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Both fascial and vaginal wall slings are effective in treating women with ISD. However, the use of vaginal wall slings resulted in significantly shorter hospital stay, decreased catheterization time, decreased use of analgesics, and decreased loss of days of work compared with fascial slings. Therefore, the vaginal wall sling should be the preferred surgical method of treating sphincter deficiency.

Transurethral electrovaporization of bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the use of transurethral electrovaporization in the treatment of large superficial bladder tumors. METHODS: The records of 9 consecutive patients with large superficial bladder tumors treated by transurethral electrovaporization were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent vaporization of superficial tumor with either a grooved or smooth rollerball electrode. Tumor characteristics, blood loss, operative time, and length of hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 12 bladder tumors were treated in 9 patients. The mean tumor size was 4.3 cm in diameter and the mean operative time was 80 minutes with a range of 60 to 100 minutes. No complications were noted and only 1 patient required a transfusion. The mean fall in hematocrit was 0.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral electrovaporization represents a new application of electrosurgery that is safe and effective in the treatment of large superficial bladder tumors.

Combination therapy using oral alpha-blockers and intracavernosal injection in men with erectile dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: Intracavernosal injection with a combination of agents (ie, phentolamine plus papaverine or alprostadil) has been used in an effort to increase efficacy and reduce side effects compared with single agents. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the potential role of oral alpha-blockers in combination with intracavernosal therapy in men with erectile dysfunction, for whom intracavernosal therapy alone failed. METHODS: Thirty-eight consecutive men with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction on the basis of history and examination and with minimal or no therapeutic response to intracavernosal alprostadil injection therapy were evaluated. All patients received daily doxazosin titrated to 4 mg over 3 weeks in combination with intracavernosal therapy as needed for 12 weeks. Efficacy was assessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after doxazosin titration using the 1 5-item, self-administered International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and a global efficacy question (GEQ: Did treatment improve your erections?). RESULTS: For the group, the mean baseline IIEF score before therapy was 29.7+/-9.8. After intracavernosal therapy (mean dose 34.7+/-7.3 microg), IIEF improved to 36.1+/-1 1.4 (17.7%). After addition of doxazosin, IIEF improved to 48.6+/-13.4, 46.4+/-10.9, and 51.5+/-14.3 at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively (P < 0.01). The GEQ response improved from 25.7% at baseline to 81.4% at 12 weeks. Overall 22 (57.9%) of 38 patients with the combined regimen had a significant (more than 60% improvement in IIEF) therapeutic response. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of an oral alpha-blocker may have a beneficial effect in patients with erectile dysfunction for whom intracavernosal therapy alone fails. The synergistic effects of vascular dilation and blockade of sympathetic inhibition may explain this response. The potential role of alpha-blockade in synergy with other agents designed to treat erectile dysfunction remains to be determined.

Etiology of voiding dysfunction in men less than 50 years of age.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic lower urinary tract symptoms in young men are often attributed to misdiagnosed chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. The purpose of this study was to analyze etiology of chronic voiding dysfunction in men less than 50 years of age. METHODS: The videourodynamic studies of 137 men 50 years of age or less with chronic voiding dysfunction, performed between January 1990 and October 1995, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The distribution of urodynamic abnormalities included 74 (54%) patients with primary vesical neck obstruction, 33 (24%) with obstruction localized to membranous urethra (pseudodyssnergia), 23 (17%) with impaired bladder contractility, and the remaining 7 (5%) with an acontractile bladder. Detrusor instability was present in 67 men (49%). CONCLUSIONS: Voiding dysfunction among young men is common and is often misdiagnosed. Videourodynamic evaluation is very useful in establishing the correct diagnosis and ultimately in delivery of appropriate therapy.

Intermittent alpha-blocker therapy in the treatment of men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the safety and efficacy of intermittent alpha-blocker therapy in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a prospective study. Alpha-blockers have been demonstrated to be safe and effective in the treatment of men with LUTS. To date, the role of varying dosing regimens in responding patients has not been well studied. METHODS: Men with LUTS were entered into this prospective open label, parallel, randomized trial. In phase 1, patients were treated with alfuzosin, 2.5 mg three times daily for 3 months. In phase 2, those patients who had a significant therapeutic response were randomized into one of the following three groups: (1) maintenance of alfuzosin; (2) alfuzosin every other day; and (3) discontinuation of alfuzosin (ie, no treatment). Patients were followed up for a total of 6 months. Parameters of evaluation included the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), global satisfaction, peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), and adverse events. RESULTS: At 3 months, there were 79 patients who were categorized as having obtained a therapeutic response: IPSS decreased to 7.6 +/- 3.2 and Qmax increased to 11.3 +/- 2.9 mL/s. After randomization, IPSS was 7.1 +/- 2.9 and 6.5 +/- 2.5 for group 1; 6.5 +/- 3.2 and 6.7 +/- 2.1 for group 2; and 11.4 +/- 4.8 and 12.3 +/- 4.9 for group 3 at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Qmax was 12.7 +/- 4.8 and 11.7 +/- 5.2 mL/s for group 1; 12.2 +/- 3.9 and 11.9 +/- 3.7 mL/s for group 2; and 9.7 +/- 2.5 and 9.3 +/- 2.1 mL/s for group 3 at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Global satisfaction at 6 months was the same for groups 1 and 2. There were no differences in adverse events among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: In men with LUTS who responded to alfuzosin, changing the dosing regimen from daily to once every other day resulted in similar efficacy and safety at 3 and 6 months. By contrast, complete cessation of alfuzosin resulted in recurrence of both symptoms and impaired urinary flow. These data provide evidence that in responding patients, intermittent alpha-blocker therapy may be a reasonable therapeutic regimen. The role of intermittent alpha-blocker therapy using other agents, as well as in a large cohort of men with LUTS, remains to be determined.

Safety and efficacy of sildenafil in postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: Sildenafil has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction. The role of sildenafil in treating women with sexual dysfunction has heretofore not been reported. The purpose of this preliminary study was to ascertain the response of postmenopausal women with self-described sexual dysfunction treated with sildenafil for 3 months. METHODS: Thirty-three consecutive postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction based on history were entered in this open-label, nonrandomized study. All patients received 50 mg of sildenafil. Efficacy was assessed at weeks 4, 8, and 12 using a newly developed 9-item, self-administered Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) and a global efficacy question ([GEQ] Did treatment improve your sexual function?). The IFSF quantifies the domains of desire, quality of sexual intercourse, overall satisfaction with sexual function, orgasm, lubrication, and clitoral sensation. RESULTS: Of the group, 30 women (91 %) completed the study and were available for follow-up at 3 months. Mean baseline IFSF score before therapy was 24.8+/-9.8. Mean usage of sildenafil was 3.1+/-1.4 times per week for the duration of the study. The IFSF score improved to 29.5+/-7.6, 30.3+/-8.5, and 31.4+/-10.4 at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively (P = 0.25). Mean scores for questions 2 (lubrication), 8 (orgasm), and 9 (clitoral sensation) improved by 23.2%, 7.4%, and 31.3%, respectively, at 12 weeks. Seven women (21%) noted improvement on the GEQ. Overall, only 6 (18.1%) of 33 patients had a significant (more than 60% improvement in IFSF score) therapeutic response. Clitoral discomfort and "hypersensitivity" occurred in 7 women (21%), 3 of whom withdrew from the study. Other side effects, which did not result in withdrawal from the study, included headache (n = 5), dizziness (n = 4) and dyspepsia (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that sildenafil is well tolerated in postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction. Overall sexual function did not improve significantly, although there were changes in vaginal lubrication and clitoral sensitivity. The role of sildenafil in treating sexual dysfunction in various cohorts of women remains to be determined.

Uroflowmetry and urodynamics.

The ability to define and understand the relationship and significance of bladder outlet obstruction to the diagnosis and treatment of BPH continues to be a clinical problem that needs examination. Urodynamics remain the best tool to diagnose bladder outlet obstruction. However, controversies exist in its role as a diagnostic tool for therapeutic intervention. This article reviews the various issues and state of the art urodynamic modalities that pertain to the application of urodynamics to BPH. Specifically, a critical review is provided for the various urodynamic modalities such as uroflowmetry and multichannel urodynamics as it pertains to its clinical application and study of BPH.

Electrovaporization of the prostate: electrosurgical modification of standard transurethral resection in 93 patients with benign hyperplasia.

To determine the safety and efficacy of transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TVP) in the management of men with lower urinary tract symptoms, we reviewed the records of 93 consecutive patients (mean age 65.2 +/- 5.7 years) with mild to moderate lower urinary tract symptoms who underwent TVP since August 1994. The patients were assessed at baseline for both safety and efficacy and in follow-up at 1 week (N = 93) and 1 (N = 87), 3 (N = 71), 6 (N = 59), 9 (N = 44), and 12 (N = 33) months. The mean American Urological Association Symptom Score decreased from 18.6 preoperatively to 8.9, 7.9, 8.1, and 6.3 at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively (P < 0.01). The peak uroflow rate (Qmax) increased from 7.9 mL/sec to 16.4, 14.1, 14.7, and 17.3 mL/sec at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively (P < 0.02). The mean operating time was 47.3 minutes; 96% of patients had the catheter removed within 24 hours and were discharged home the first postoperative day. There was a mean 1.1 mL/dL decrease in hematocrit and a 1.4 mEq/L decline in serum sodium. Complications included mild hematuria (46%), clot retention (5%) (all necessitating transient recatheterization), and distal bulbar urethral stricture (N = 1). There was an 8% incidence of significant postprocedure irritative symptoms. No previously potent patient reported erectile dysfunction, but there was a 92% rate of retrograde ejaculation. Transurethral vaporization is a potentially useful modification of transurethral resection. There has been significant clinical improvement maintained with minimal morbidity. This early clinical experience highlights several potential advantages of TVP, including significantly lower cost and minimal postoperative irritative symptoms. Currently, a multicenter clinical trial is under way to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of TVP.

Interstitial thermometry in men undergoing electrovaporization of the prostate.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TVP) has been utilized increasingly in the therapeutic management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The temperature profile within both prostatic and periprostatic tissue has been presented as a parameter of safety in various preliminary studies. This prospective study measured interstitial temperature during TVP in both the prostate and the surrounding tissue of 18 men. METHODS: These 18 men undergoing TVP had three interstitial thermocouple probes placed under ultrasound guidance. Probes were positioned in the rectal wall and at the 5 and 7 o'clock position of the prostate capsule. A fourth probe was placed within 1 mm of the area of vaporization to determine "lesion" temperature. Temperature was measured at baseline and at 15-minute intervals as TVP was performed utilizing the VaporTrode at 240 to 280 W with a Valley Lab Force 40 generator. RESULTS: The maximum temperature variability was 1.9 degrees C. The temperature within 0.5 mm of the area of vaporization was >100 degrees C. These results were independent of the temperature of the irrigating solution. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide compelling evidence that high vaporization temperatures do not affect surrounding prostatic tissue. In theory, the risk of injury to either the rectum or the neurovascular bundle during TVP should be extremely low.

Pharmaceutical Treatment Of BPH And Its Effect On Indications For Prostate Surgery.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a pathological description of an aging process that affects a great majority of men. Classically, obstructive and irritative symptoms such as frequency, nocturia and weak urinary stream are described as "prostatism". Microscopically, BPH can be described as hyperplasia of stromal and epithilial cellular element which can macroscopically present as a gross adenomatous enlargement of the prostate gland. Thus, treatment of BPH is aimed at alleviating symptoms of prostatism and associated morbidities of prostatic obstruction.

A comparative study of transurethral resection of the prostate using a modified electro-vaporizing loop and transurethral laser vaporization of the prostate.

PURPOSE: We determined the relative efficacy of a modification of transurethral resection of the prostate using a vaporizing loop (VaporTrode) with transurethral laser vaporization of the prostate using the Ultraline fiber. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative trial of 58 patients with symptomatic prostatism was performed. Parameters evaluated included operative time, postoperative catheterization time, American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score, peak urine flow and post-void residual urine. RESULTS: Of the 29 patients who underwent electro-vaporization AUA symptom score decreased from 15.3 to 5.3 and 4.9, and peak urine flow increased from 8.2 to 14.9 ml. per second and 15.6 ml. per second at 1 and 3 months, respectively (p = 0.01). Of the 29 patients undergoing laser vaporization of the prostate AUA symptom score decreased from 14.7 to 10.1 and 7.6, and peak urine flow increased from 9.7 to 13.7 ml. per second and 14.9 ml. per second at 1 and 3 months, respectively (p = 0.025). However, there were significant differences in mean catheterization time (electro-vaporization group 14.7 hours and laser group 79.6 hours, p < 0.001), and cases of postoperative irritative symptoms (3 electro-vaporization and 19 laser) and retention requiring repeat catheterization (6 laser). CONCLUSIONS: Our early clinical experience highlights several potential advantages of electro-vaporization, particularly the low incidence of postoperative morbidity. Currently a multicenter clinical trial is underway to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of electro-vaporization as a potential therapeutic modality in the treatment of men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Urodynamic evidence of vesical neck obstruction in men with misdiagnosed chronic nonbacterial prostatitis and the therapeutic role of endoscopic incision of the bladder neck.

Many patients are misdiagnosed as having refractory chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, and are treated with antibiotics and/or alpha-blockers with variable success. This study was designed to ascertain the potential diagnostic role of synchronous video-pressure-flow urodynamics and the therapeutic role of transurethral incision of the bladder neck in 34 consecutive men (age 26 to 51 years) with a minimum of 2 years of misdiagnosis. Duration of symptoms ranged from 25 to 126 months (mean 38.3). The average number of previous antibiotic days ranged from 42 to 136 (mean 54.3). In addition, 24 men were given empiric trials of alpha-blockers, all unsuccessful. Patients with evidence of bacterial infection or excessive leukocytes in expressed prostatic secretions were excluded from the study. Of these 34 patients 31 had urodynamic evidence of bladder outlet obstruction localized fluoroscopically to the vesical neck, while the remaining 3 had normal studies. The mean pretreatment maximum urine flow was 9.2 ml. per second and the mean maximal detrusor pressure was 76.3 cm. water. In 31 patients the bladder neck was incised at the 5 o'clock position from the bladder neck to the verumontanum with the patient under caudal (22) or spinal (9) anesthesia. Of these 31 patients 30 had marked subjective improvement in symptoms with an increase in maximal urine flow to 16.4 and 15.7 ml. per second at 3 and 6 months, respectively. The remaining patient noticed continued symptoms despite urine flow improvement. All 31 patients reported postoperative antegrade ejaculation. These results indicate that many men who are categorized as having and empirically treated for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis are misdiagnosed and, in fact, have bladder outlet obstruction. Urodynamics are helpful in diagnosing and predicting success in these patients. Furthermore, transurethral incision of the bladder neck is an effective and safe therapeutic modality in this group.

Transurethral vaporization of the prostate: current techniques.

Electrovaporization has quickly become a popular procedure for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia. By using standard transurethral electrosurgical technology, electrovaporization offers standard transurethral loop-like resection and transurethral prostatectomy (TURP)-like efficacy with less morbidity than that associated with TURP. Through a combination of two electrosurgical effects (vaporization and desiccation), electrovaporization ablates significant volumes of prostatic tissue with each passage of the electrode. Newly designed thicker loop electrodes have led to a modification of the original electrovaporization technique. "Vaporizing-resection" adds the advantages of transurethral resection to those of electrovaporization with the use of one electrode. Very large glands can be treated efficiently, and prostatic tissue specimens are produced. Moreover, additional vaporization of tissue occurs with minimized bleeding. This report reviews basic electrosurgical principles, electrode design, and factors that affect vaporizing efficiency. Current long-term data on electrovaporization compared with TURP are summarized, and pilot studies evaluating vaporizing- resection have shown promising results. A new technology that has entered the market--bipolar electrovaporization--is also discussed. Finally, combination therapy and Columbia's 4-year experience with vaporization techniques are discussed.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia: challenges for the new millennium.

The understanding and therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has become more complex recently. The molecular mechanisms and growth factors involved in BPH need to be elucidated in the new millennium. The current classification of disease reflects the varied pathophysiologic mechanisms causing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). In addition, symptom scores have improved evaluation of men with BPH, yet 'bother' and 'health-related quality of life' should be better recognized as significant outcome parameters. Clinical evaluation with laboratory markers specific for BPH or LUTS is currently inadequate. Yet, urodynamic evaluation should remain an important aspect of evaluation to guide selection of therapy. Recently medical therapy has expanded to include uroselective alpha blockade and phytotherapy, yet more research is needed. The most significant growth in the field, however, is in minimally invasive therapies of the prostate. Long-term comparative prospective multicenter studies are needed to properly evaluate the outcomes of new technologies compared to traditional procedures that are considered standard of care.