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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Surgical Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP).

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Published on: March 6, 2018

Botulinum neurotoxin A for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Athanassios Oeconomou¹, Helmut Madersbacher

¹Department of Urology, University of Thessalia School of Medicine, Larissa, Greece. thaoik@hotmail.com

Current Opinion in Urology

|November 6, 2009

Summary

Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) injections show promise for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms by relaxing the prostate. While early clinical results are encouraging, further large-scale studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety.

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Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing

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Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Surgical Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP).

Surgical Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP).

Published on: March 6, 2018

Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing

Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing

Published on: August 14, 2019

Area of Science:

Urology
Pharmacology

Background:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) significantly impacts lower urinary tract symptoms.
Current BPH treatments have limitations, driving interest in novel therapies.
Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) is being explored as a minimally invasive option.

Purpose of the Study:

To review animal studies on BoNT-A's mechanisms in inhibiting BPH progression.
To summarize clinical findings on the efficacy and safety of intraprostatic BoNT-A injections.
To assess the potential of BoNT-A as an alternative BPH treatment.

Main Methods:

Review of experimental animal studies investigating BoNT-A's effects on prostate tissue and function.
Analysis of published clinical trials evaluating intraprostatic BoNT-A injection protocols.
Assessment of reported symptomatic relief and objective parameter improvements.

Main Results:

Animal studies indicate BoNT-A induces prostate relaxation, atrophy, and size reduction via autonomic nervous system inhibition.
Potential symptom reduction may involve inhibiting sensory nerve signals from the prostate.
Clinical studies report symptomatic improvement and favorable outcomes, with rare side effects.

Conclusions:

Intraprostatic BoNT-A injection is an experimental therapy for BPH.
Clinical evidence, though encouraging, is currently of low quality.
Large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled trials with long-term follow-up are essential for validation and potential registration.