Effects of transurethral prostate resection and transurethral laser prostatectomy on plasma hormone levels

The short and long-term effects of two common transurethral procedures (TURP and TULP, transurethral prostatic resection and laser prostatectomy, respectively) on plasma hormone levels in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have been evaluated.

Totally 57 patients with histologically proven BPH (age range 54-81 years, mean 62.5 years) were included into the study program. Of these 57 patients, 44 underwent TURP and 13 underwent TULP for treatment of their bladder outlet obstructions. 20 patients with bladder cancer undergoing transurethral resection (n = 15) and those undergoing transurethral laser ablation (n = 5) constituted the control group. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, aldosterone, dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and testosterone levels were assessed in all patients before and after 3 weeks and 3 months following the aforementioned procedures. Comparative evaluation of the results with respect to the effect of different procedures have been made between study and control groups.

Preoperatively, we were not able to demonstrate any significant difference with respect to all but plasma prolactin levels (p < 0.05) between the study and control groups. Prolactin levels were found to be significantly higher in BPH patients. In BPH patients undergoing TURP, while LH levels were significantly higher during the 3 weeks' evaluation (p < 0.001) no significant difference could be shown during the 3 months' examination (p > 0.05). Again, prolactin levels did significantly decline (p < 0.05) in patients undergoing TURP during the 3 weeks' follow-up evaluation, no difference was present 3 months postprocedure. On the other hand, in patients undergoing TULP, while we were not able to show any significant difference with respect to plasma prolactin levels (p > 0.05) pre- and postoperatively, plasma LH levels were significantly increased during the 3-month evaluation (p < 0.05).

Alterations in the plasma levels of LH and prolactin following prostatectomy during follow-up evaluation, led the physicians to consider possible effects of some factors released from resected prostate gland. Behavior of prolactin and LH after TURP and laser ablation is quite different in our study. It may be related to the higher amount of residual prostate tissue after TULP. On the other hand, normalization of hormone levels 3 months following TURP, led us to think about the activation of some factors responsible for hormonal regulation which in turn institutes a new hormonal balance.