Balancing Western Medicine and Alternative Methods

What Is Laser Prostate Treatment?

Enlarged prostrates can be caused by several different conditions. One of the most important ones is, of course, cancer. That said, many people will undergo laser prostate treatments because of more benign conditions, such as prostatic hyperplasia, for example. Usually, it is a urinary infection that will first indicate there is a problem with the prostate gland but it can be picked up through routine health check-ups, as well. Whatever the reason for an enlarged prostate, your doctor may recommend laser prostate surgery. What is involved?

The Surgical Process

When prostate laser surgery is conducted, a trained doctor will push a scope into the body to access the prostate gland itself. To avoid unnecessary incisions, the scope will go in through the tip of the penis. Although this can understandably put some people off, the fact is that this is a routine procedure nowadays that is less invasive than the other surgical options. With the scope inserted, it will be pushed on into the urethra. This is the tube inside the penis that conveys urine from the bladder when you go to the toilet. Because the prostate gland is on either side of the urethra, this is the ideal place to blast it with a laser. The scope will allow the surgeon to see when the correct spot has been arrived at. A laser will then discharge light and heat energy in a highly controlled way from the scope. With this method, it is possible to remove any unwanted tissue. In most cases, the enlarged gland will be shrunk until it allows for a better flow of urine.

The Use of Lasers

Although the basic concept is always the same, healthcare professionals have an array of different laser technologies at their disposal today. This means that the type of laser that is used will be best suited to your particular medical circumstances. For example, some prostate laser surgery will make use of a photo-selective vaporisation laser which will energise some cells to the extent that they turn into gases. Another common type is a holmium enucleation laser. This one cuts away a section of the gland which can then be grabbed and removed with another scope tool.

The Benefits of Laser Prostate Surgery

This type of treatment takes a few hours and will not require a hospital stay in most cases, unlike conventional surgery. It will also bring about faster results because there will be less scarring around the prostate, allowing for better urine flow straight away. There is also a lower risk of internal bleeding, important for some patients who don't clot in the usual manner.


Share