[Diseases of the prostate in elderly patients. Benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate carcinoma]

The incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) increases constantly beyond the 3rd decade of life and is almost always present in men aged 80-90 years of age. Approximately half of the men with benign prostatic hyperplasia develop a clinically enlarged prostate (BPE), 50% of those with BPE lower urinary tract symptoms. The diagnostic work-up of men with lower urinary tract symptoms and BPH/BPE comprises subjective (symptom score) and objective (uroflowmetry, post void residual volume) parameters. The therapeutic armentarium has been substantially enlarged during the past decade and now comprises effective drugs, minimally invasive treatment options and surgical treatment. In industrialised countries, prostate cancer is currently the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer death. Prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment and follow-up was revolutionised by the introduction of the tumour marker prostate specific antigen. In cases of a localised prostate cancer and a life expectancy of at least 10 years, radical prostatectomy is the therapy of choice, in those with a life expectancy of less than 10 years radiotherapy leads to satisfactory results. In generalised cases antiandrogen therapy is still considered "Gold Standard".