TURP for BHP - removes the prostate f... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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TURP for BHP - removes the prostate from the inside out

15 Replies

It seems like this would be generally useful, unless one hopes to rehabilitate the prostate and heal it.

TURP leaves the surrounding tissue in place, and leaves the "capsule" of the prostate in place, but there is no question it is "debulking", and apparently it is thought of as a minor surgery. Why does it not play a part in prostate cancer treatment? Ideas?

youtube.com/watch?v=nZxVvKw...

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15 Replies
ritchiek profile image
ritchiek

Generally prostate cancer is present around the outer part of the prostate gland. A TURP procedure by definition cores out the central part of the gland. Therefore no debulking of prostate cancer occurs.

in reply to ritchiek

the video makes it seem like more than just the central part.

in reply to ritchiek

"Generally" how? And, "cores out the central part of the gland", is misleading. It removes what tissue is immediately surrounding the prostate.

Look at it this way. Take a soda you buy at the local burger joint. You take your straw, and put it through the lid. So this lid is too tight, and cuts off the flow of the straw. So what do you do? Say you cut off those little triangle pieces of plastic? Wow, that frees up the clog. What a relief it was/is! BOOM!

BTW, the lid represents the ...ahh never mind.

With all due respect, Joe

in reply to

I misspoke at the beginning, TURP "removes the tissue of the prostate that immediately surrounds the urethra. Lid, prostate, straw, urethra.

TURP is used when the prostate chokes off the urethra. The prostate is removed to "free" it up. This is considered invasive surgery, and the healing process can be lengthy. On the other hand, I had what's called UroClip Installed. Yes installed. They are clips that are inserted to retain the walls of the prostate away from the urethra. This is considered a procedure, so it's non-invasive. I had five put in, three on one side, two on the other. Two weeks later, I had the catheter removed, and been peeing like I used too. What a relief it was!

Joe

in reply to

Interesting, even though it does not address the question.

I had not heard of the UroClip before. Will have to look it up.

in reply to

What it's used for, is when men can't take a leak. Has nothing to do with cancer itself. It has to do with the side effects from mass doses of radiation. It's the opposite of incontinence. That is why it's not a cancer treatment, get it?

So, I watched the video, and it's quite misleading. It looks like the whole interior of the prostate was removed, that would be de-bulking. Check out the UroClip video, it has an actual video of the procedure. If anything else it provides a good look at what is happening.

I had TURP surgery for BPH 11 years ago. I remember well the words of the urologist/surgeon: "this doesn't mean that you can't get prostate cancer". He was right. The only good thing is that TURP (roto rooter) is a positive if you decide to pursue HIFU.

in reply to

right.

BHP does not protect against getting cancer.

Cancer does not protect against getting cancer.

(how is turp positive for hifu??)

in reply to

MARTIN, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

BHP, Benign Hyperplasia of the Prostate, is a natural occurrence as we age.

It has nothing to do with PCa, until you are Dx with PCa.

Most men have incontinence issues from BHP, that means they leak a lot.

Some get continent, so they can't piss. All due too some type of radiation. Still with me here?

The guys who are continent have their urethra squeezed shut by the prostate, this of course is very painful, and causes kidney and ureter problems.

To remedy the situation, TURP may be used, as you mentioned above. TURP removes the prostate tissue that is squeezing the urethra closed. This is considered surgery. It takes a long time to heal.

To say TURP and HIFU are relative is like comparing a...I won't go there.

in reply to

I read what you wrote. Yes.

in reply to

The HIFU procedures heats up the prostate tissue one little blip at a time. The net result is swelling that is guaranteed to block the urethra (hence the need for a suprapubic catheter). A prior TURP, or roto rooter, procedure means that the channel has already been widened before the HIFU which benefits the process. If you have BPH type obstructive symptoms you can't go straight to HIFU. Not a doctor but I've had BPH / TURP / HIFU.

in reply to

Do you know how tiny a lesion can be the target of a HIFU treatment? Could you go after one lymph node with HIFU. [It is used for kidney stones, no?]

rfarley01 profile image
rfarley01

If you use FLA-focal laser ablation you only remove the affected area or cancer leaving the prostate to function as designed. I had it done in June2018

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