[Non-surgical treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Current status of the problem]

Benign prostatic hypertrophy is a highly prevalent disease, with a significant morbidity. Classical surgical therapy (open or transurethral adenomectomy) is very effective, but not without risks and complications. Better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease have led to the development of several alternative treatments. Hormonal treatments are briefly reviewed, especially the preliminary results obtained with the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.