The information has been provided by Indigo, a Johnson & Johnson company
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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical term for enlarged prostate.  BPH is the most common health problem in men over the age of 50.  The prostate gland has two growth periods, one in adolescence and another starting around the age of 45 and continuing throughout a man’s life.  This second growth period often results in an enlarged prostate and eventually affects over 80% of men.  Prostate enlargement is a natural part of aging.  BPH is not cancer and does not cause cancer. 

 As a prostate becomes enlarged, it gradually compresses the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.  This can make urination more difficult and the bladder may not empty completely.  This can irritate the bladder and if left untreated can lead to infections of the bladder and kidney failure.  Symptoms vary with each patient. 

 Symptoms of BPH:

• Weak urine stream
• Nighttime urination
• Pain when urinating
• Urge to urinate frequently
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Sensation of not completely emptying the bladder, may feel the need to urinate again right after you’ve urinated
• Starting and stopping of urination

There are tests that a doctor may perform in the diagnosis of BPH.  The first is called an AUA Symptom Score.  This is a series of questions designed to assess the patient’s symptoms.  The higher the score, the more serious the condition may be.  A cystoscopy may also be performed.  This involves a scope being inserted through the urethra to look at the prostate.  A doctor may perform a Digital Rectal Exam, in which the doctor inserts a gloved finer into the rectum and feels the prostate.   Another test is called a Urine Flow Rate Test.  This test measures the rate at which urine flows through the urethra.  The slower the flow, the more compressed the urethra may be.  The last test is called an Ultrasound Urine Volume Test.  This test measures the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination.  The more urine left in the bladder, the more serious the condition. 

Prostate enlargement is treatable.  Treatment options include medication, traditional surgery outpatient procedures (sometimes known as minimally invasive procedures).  There are advantages and disadvantages to all of the treatment options. 

Medication is usually the first method of treatment for BPH.  It often helps relieve mild to moderate symptoms and does not involve a surgical procedure.  However, medication may have undesired side effects.   There is also a lifelong commitment to this therapy and the medication may lose its effectiveness over time. 

Surgery is the most traditional long-term treatment.  This involves cutting away the enlarged prostate tissue.  The most common surgical procedure for BPH is a transurethral resection of the prostate, also known as TURP.  This procedure involves an instrument being inserted through the urethra and removing excess prostate tissue, a piece at a time. The excess tissue is flushed out of the body with water at the end of the procedure.  This method is often preferred since there is no external incision.  There is also less blood loss, fewer complications, and a shorter recovery period.  However, some of the side effects of the TURP procedure can include impotence, retrograde ejaculation, and incontinence. Another surgical option is an open prostatectomy.  This requires an abdominal incision of about 6 inches and partial removal of the enlarged prostate.  This procedure is usually done in cases when the prostate is severely enlarged.  As with any major surgery, this procedure runs a greater risk of surgical complications.  It also requires a longer recovery time. 

Minimally Invasive Treatments are the newest procedures for treating enlarged prostates.  These procedures use advanced technologies such as lasers, microwaves, and radio frequency to reduce the size of the prostate.  These procedures are usually performed when medication fails.  Minimally invasive procedures are not used in cases where the prostate is severely enlarged.  This form of treatment was designed to reduce patient discomfort, reduce the risk of complications and possibly reduce side effects.

Transurethral needle ablation, also known as TUNA, is one of the minimally invasive therapies commonly used.  This treatment has been around since 1996.  It uses radiowave energy to destroy excess tissue.  In the TUNA procedure, a tiny catheter is inserted through the urethra.  The catheter projects small needles into the excess prostate tissue that is compressing the urethra. The needles let off radiowave energy, heating up the prostate. This destroys the obstructing prostate tissue.  TUNA results in improved urine flow with minimal side effects compared to the traditional surgical treatment.  This treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis, therefore leading to lower costs than traditional surgery.   This procedure is unlikely to leave a man impotent or incontinent. 

(Insert picture of TUNA procedure)

Indigo LaserOptic Treatment System is an ILC procedure.  This is done by a physician inserting a scope through the urethra to see the prostate, they then thread a special Indigo fiber through the urethra and into the prostate, positioning the tip of the fiber into the targeted treatment area.