Urology Flashcards
What does the prostate secrete?
An alkaline fluid with clotting enzymes and zinc
What is the approximate size of a normal prostate?
Walnut shaped, around 20g
What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Irregular proliferation of glandular and stromal tissue of the prostate
Where does BPH commonly occur?
Transitional zone
What are risk factors for developing BPH?
Age, black ethnicity
How does BPH present?
Poor flow, straining, hesitancy, incomplete emptying, urgency, frequency, dribbling, recurrent UTI, retention
What investigations should you do if you suspect BPH?
PR exam, MSSU, U&Es.
PSA, Transrectal USS +/- biopsy
Why should you do bloods for PSA before a PR exam?
PR exam can falsely elevate the PSA
What is PSA?
An enzyme produced by the secretory cells of the prostate
What can elevate the PSA?
Malignancy, BPH, UTI, ejaculation, vigorous exercise, urinary retention
What is a normal PSA?
Less than or equal to 4
What are some conservative management options for BPH?
Decreasing alcohol and caffeine intake
What is the first line medical treatment for BPH?
Alpha blocker - tamsulosin
How does tamsulosin work?
Decreases smooth muscle tone
What are some side effects of tamsulosin?
Dizziness, postural hypotension, dry mouth, depression
What is the second line medical treatment for BPH?
5-alpha-reductase inhibitor - finasteride
How does finasteride work?
Blocks conversion of testosterone to DHT which reduces prostate volume
How long may finasteride take to work?
A few months but slows the progression of BPH
What are some side effects of finasteride?
Erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, ejaculation problems, gynaecomastia
What surgical option is there for BPH?
TURP (transurethral resection of prostate)
Is BPH pre-malignant?
No
When is the peak incidence of prostate cancer?
60-80 years
What is the tumour type of most prostate cancers?
Adenocarcinoma
Where do most prostate cancers arise in the prostate?
Peripheral zone
Where is common sites of metastases in prostate cancer?
Pelvic lymph nodes, bone (sclerotic lesions)
What are symptoms of prostate cancer?
Asymptomatic or nocturia, hesitancy, poor stream, dribbling, weight loss, bone pain
What investigations should you do for prostate cancer?
PR exam, PSA, Transrectal USS +/- biopsies
What may be felt on a PR exam in prostate cancer?
A fixed hard craggy mass
What scoring system is used to grade prostate cancer?
Gleason’s score
What system is used to stage prostate cancer?
TNM
What are the management options if the cancer is confined to the prostate?
Watch and wait
Radical prostatectomy
Radiotherapy
What are the management options if prostate cancer is locally advanced?
Watch and wait
Radical prostatectomy
Hormone therapy
What two types of hormone therapy are used?
GnRH analogues (Goserelin) Anti-androgens (cyproterone)
What are the management options for metastatic prostate cancer?
Hormones
Steroids
Chemotherapy
What are the side effects of a radical prostatectomy?
Erectile dysfunction, incontinence, bladder neck stenosis
What are the side effects of radiotherapy for prostate cancer?
Irritative LUTS, haematuria, GI symptoms, erectile dysfunction, incontinence
What are the side effects of GnRH agonists (Goserelin)?
Loss of libido, hot flushes, sweating, weight gain, osteoporosis
What are the side effects of anti-androgens (Cyproterone)?
Loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, gynaecomastia, cardiac and liver toxicities
What is the bladder pressure during the storage phase of micturition?
Low to allow passive filling
What muscle increases the intravesicular pressure during the voiding phase of micturition?
Detrusor muscle
What nerves are involved in the micturition reflex?
Pelvic parasympathetic nerves
Pudendal
What are some risk factors for urinary incontinence?
Advancing age, previous pregnancy, childbirth, high BMI, FH, hysterectomy
What causes overflow incontinence?
Bladder outlet obstruction
What are the causes of overflow incontinence?
BPH, prostate cancer, urethral narrowing
How does overflow incontinence present?
Chronic retention, incontinence, wet at night, huge palpable bladder
How is overflow incontinence managed?
Assess renal function, try address underlying cause
Intermittent self-catheterisation to retrain the bladder
What is urge incontinence?
Sudden urge to empty the bladder often followed by uncontrollable and complete emptying
What can precipitate urge incontinence episodes?
Sound of running water, lock in door, obesity, caffeine
What is the underlying cause of urge incontinence?
Detrusor instability (due to stress, infection, tumour, paraplegia, pelvic surgery)
What investigations should you do for urge incontinence?
Bladder diary, MSSU, urodynamic studies
How is urge incontinence managed conservatively?
Diet and weight loss Bladder retraining (minimum of 6 weeks)
How is urge incontinence managed medically?
Anti-muscarinics (e.g. oxybutynin and tolterodine)
How is urge incontinence managed surgically?
Botox, neuromodulation, surgery on detrusor muscle
What is stress incontinence?
Involuntary leakage of urine when intra-abdominal pressure is increased e.g cough sneeze
Does stress incontinence involve the detrusor muscle?
NO - leakage of urine occurs without detrusor contraction
What are some causes of stress incontinence?
Pregnancy, child birth, postmenopause
What investigations should you do for stress incontinence?
Bladder diary
PV exam (check for prolapse)
MSSU
Urodynamic studies