Prostate vaporization yields good long-term results in BPH

Men treated with photoselective vaporization of the prostate using the GreenLight laser system (Laserscope, San Jose, CA) for obstructive BPH achieve significant improvements in symptomatic and urodynamic outcomes at 5 years, according to a recently published study (J Urol 2005; 174:1344-8).

In the study, researchers at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, evaluated 94 men with a mean prostate volume of 45 mL. Following the procedure, AUA symptom score, quality of life, peak urinary flow rate, and postvoid residual urine volume reflected significant improvement at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years. Improvement ranged from 83% to 88%, 86% to 90%, 170% to 252%, and 76% to 89%, respectively, reported lead author Reza Malek, MD.

In conjunction with publication of the study, Laserscope and the Men's Health Network have announced the "Heal BPH" initiative to provide men with in-depth information about BPH. Materials and resources are available online at www.healbph.com.