The Prostate Flashcards
10-30% of men >70 have symptomatic BPH. How does it present?
What are it’s complications?
Obstruction (prostatism) and irritation
Prostatism:
- Intermittent urinary stream, Dribbling of urine
- Incomplete emptying -> straining to void -> double micturition => Recurrent UTIs
- Hesitancy
- Reduced sexual performance
Irritative: (due to detrusor muscle hyperactivity => urge incontinence)
- Urinary frequency, urgency, dysuria, nucturia
- Haematuria
Complications:
- Recurrent UTIs
- Haematuria
- Bladder stones
- Overflow incontinence
- Outflow obstruction
Give 3 Risk factors for Prostate cancer/BPH?
1) Age (85% diagnosed >65)
2) Genetic
3) Dietary (reduced intake of food, increased intake of fat and calcium (animal meat and spinach)
4) Ethnicity
A 74 year old presents with urinary issues. What would you like to elicit in a hx?
Obstructive Sx => Dribbling, straining, incomplete emptying, double micturition, hesitancy
Irritation sx: Frequency, urgency, dysuria, nocturia, coffee, tea, alcohol
Pattern of voiding and volume: intermittent stream, large (overflow) or small volume (urge)
Reduced sexual performance
Haematuria
Pain (Socrates)
Polydipsia
Neurological sx (incontinence)
Sexual performance
+ Extra for cancer
1) B-symptoms
2) Bone pain
3) Fractures
4) Erectile dysfunction
You offer a patient the IPSS form (international prostate symptom score). What is included in it?
How would you interpret the results?
Questionnaire assesses for
1) Incomplete emptying
2) Double voiding
3) Intermittent stream
4) Urgency
5) dribbling
6) Straining
7) Nocturia
Each is scored from 1-5 based on frequency of occurrence
The total score is interpreted as follows:
0-7 = mild
8-19 = moderate
20+ = severe
What examinations would you perform? Give 4 possible exam findings for prostate hyperplasia/cancer
Abdominal exam: Distended bladder, palpable kidneys! (was always done in clinic). Why? Hydronephrosis
DRE: Anal tone, size + shape and consistency of prostate
What should a normal prostate feel like on DRE?
Smooth, rubbery, chestnut size
A 74 year old male presents for their routine blood check. They have suffered from recurrent UTIs and hence indicating the need for a PSA. You suspect a prostate pathology. What is your general workup including investigations but not management
Hx, abdominal, and DR Exams
Investigations
1) Bloods: Renal function (ACR + eGFR), urea, creatinine, serum PSA
2) MSU: Dipstick (blood, glucose) + M, C+S
3) US measurement of post-void residual
PSA has a poor sensitivity and specificity. It is routinely measured in men with urological symptoms. Give 3 pathological and 3 non-pathological causes of raised PSA
Prostatic pathology
1) Prostate Ca
2) BPH
3) Acute/chronic prostatitis
Non-pathological:
4) Prostate instrumentation (incl. biopsy, catheter)
5) DRE
6) old age
7) exercise
8) Acute urinary retention
9) Ejaculation
A patient was given the IPSS and had a score of 22. What wouldnyou need to ask before taking a PSA to ensure it is accurate? How will you perform a PSA test?
Ask patient if they have:
1) Ejaculated within the last 24 hours
2) Vigorous exercise within 48 hours
3) UTI within 1 month
4) Prostate biopsy within 6 weeks
Take blood for PSA before DRE
Based on a patient’s PSA, when will you refer?
Remember old age alone can raise PSA without there actually being any risk
50-59 -> PSA >3
60-69 -> PSA >4
70+ -> PSA >5
A 65 year old patient had a PSA of >4. After referring to secondary care, what investigations may they perform?
TRUS - Trans-rectal US
Biopsy for Gleason score
These 2 are often done together
What type of biopsy is used for the gleason score/diagnosis?
TRUS-guided Core Biopsy
What is the conservative management of BPH including when it is indicated?
1) Watchful waiting for Mild-moderate symptoms with no complications and no impact on QoL -
Conservative management:
a) Bladder physiotherapy -> Bladder training with biofeedback
b) Reduce fluid intake at night
c) Reduce caffeine, tea, fizzy drinks
d) Prevention of constipation (increased fibre, less lifting, smaller meals)
When is Drug therapy indicated for the management of BPH in primary care? What is the medical management of BPH
Drug Therapy -> For those with mild-moderate symptoms that is affecting QoL:
a) alpha Adenoceptor agonist -> Prazosin, Doxazosin (risk of postural hypotension)
b) 5 apha reductase inhibitor -> Finasteride, Dutasteride
c) Combination -> Synergistic effect
What are the indications for referral to the urologist for suspected BPH?
Referral to urologist if:
1) Severe Symptoms
2) PSA above threshold for referral
50-59 -> PSA >3
60-69 -> PSA >4
70+ -> PSA >5
3) Complications
- Recurrent UTIs
- Haematuria
- Bladder stones
- Overflow incontinence
- Outflow obstruction
4) Nodular or firm prostate on DRE