[Pharmacological treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Over the last five to ten years, new treatment modalities have appeared at an increasing pace. The emerging pharmacological treatment modalities have all been used on a large scale. The exact indications and limitations of these methods have not yet been definitely established. Careful analysis of the symptomatology is crucial in counseling the patient. The Danish Prostatic Symptom Score model (DAN-PSS) is proposed. However, treatment benefits should exceed harm and there must be a reasonable cost-effectiveness. Pharmacological agents that reduce prostatic size and/or the tone in the prostate are effective in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Selective alpha-1 blockers seem to be useful in patients with uncomplicated benign prostatic hyperplasia and mild to moderate symptoms. The side effects of hormone therapy are prohibitive for use in patients with a benign disease. Data currently available indicate a yet to be defined role for 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.