[Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Due to innovative pharmacological and endoscopic/interventional concepts of therapy, the strategies of facing the benign prostatic hyperplasia have undergone a significant diversification within the last ten years. In addition to phytotherapeutic drugs, which have been in clinical use for decades, alpha receptor blockers and blockers of DHT-synthesis have gained increasing importance. More or less convincing instrumental competing methods have been developed as an alternative to the transurethral resection of the prostate or the transvesical prostatectomy. Regarding the altered age pyramid structure and decreasing financial means, guidelines for the diagnosis and therapy of the BPH-syndrome are consequently being developed in order to support the establishment of an individual therapy of BPH, to increase the efficacy of therapy and to be able to get along with the existing financial barriers. The development of the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) is regarded essential for this effort.