Benign prostatic hyperplasia. New concepts in the 1990s.

Many newer treatments are now being proposed for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although patients with mild symptoms that do not interfere with their lifestyle can be periodically observed for progression, two classes of medication are being used for those with mild to moderate symptoms: alpha-adrenergic blocking agents and androgen suppressants. In patients with severe BPH, transurethral resection of the prostate is still the standard of care in the United States, but a number of new procedures have been introduced in recent years, including balloon dilation of the prostate, laser prostatectomy, use of prostatic stents, and microwave hyperthermia. Studies of the molecular biologic events leading to the development of BPH should clarify our understanding of a condition that was once often ignored.