Laser treatment is lighting the way for enlarged prostate patients
10:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7, 2006
Topeka — Jim Boggs was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate some 13 years ago.
"Over that period of time, it didn't get any better as such, but it was livable," said Boggs.
Until the night he was rushed to the emergency room.
"After 14 hours of not being able to urinate,” said Boggs. “And they took a liter and a half of urine out of my bladder that night."
His prostate had grown large enough to completely squeeze off the flow of urine.
Typically, Jim would need surgery to remove part of his prostate.
But his doctor offered him another option, the greenlight laser.
"By the next morning he was voiding well and could drive home," said Dr. Terrence Mallory, Urologist.
Instead of surgically cutting out part of the prostate, or melting it like other lasers, the greenlight laser vaporizes the tissue.
Doctors insert a thin fiber into the urethra that delivers the green laser energy.
"What we do is take out the whole center," said Dr. Mallory.
Doctor Malloy says the greenlight laser is just as effective as transurethral resection or TUR. The surgery is considered the gold standard of treatment.
"At the end of the procedure, you see an open channel in there as much as the TUR,” said Dr. Mallory.
And he says there are advantages to the greenlight laser.
"Number one, it can be done as an outpatient on a 23 hour stay," said Dr. Mallory.
Two there's less risk of erectile dysfunction.
Lastly, there's no blood loss with the laser.
"In the old days with the TUR, we always had two units of blood available in case they had heavy bleeding,” said Dr. Mallory.
Jim had the laser procedure in January.
"Everything is fine, and really no after effects," said Boggs.
This is giving a green light to a new treatment for a common prostate problem.
A normal prostate is about the size of a walnut.
Doctor Malloy says he's successfully used the greenlight laser on enlarged prostates as big as an orange.
Comments
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May. 25, 2006 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)RobertCutaiar (anonymous)
I am 65 yrs and 6 mos and on April 24th, 2006 I had the Green Light Laser Treatment performed by a physician at Wilmington, DE. At this juncture, I would not say it is without compromise for I am apprehensive over the issue of Retrograde Ejaculation. It's too early I feel to judge fully the outcome. However, in general I feel better as the urgency and frequencies of visiting a bathroom are far less. I have read that should such a condition (RE) occur that possibly there may be help. Your comments are welcome.
May. 25, 2006 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)RobertCutaiar (anonymous)
I am a 65 and 1/2 year male in very good health. I was informed two years ago of an enlarged prostate (not inordinately so for a person my age.) I read much about the new Green Light Laser treatment. I had the procedure performed on 04/24/06. In general, I feel better and do not have to use a bathroom as often. However, I do not think it is without compromise. I would reserve judgement at this time.
May. 26, 2006 at 10:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)tommyhoward (anonymous)
I HAD THE GREEN LIGHT LASER OCT. 2005. I STARTED HAVING THE SAME OLD PROBLEMS LAST MONTH. ONLY WORKED FOR ME ABOUT 6 MONTHS. THE DR.THINKS I MAY HAVE SOME SCAR TISSUE AND IS USING RODS TO TRY AND INCREASE THE OPENING. I HAD A MICROWAVE TREATEMNT SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I AM 68.
Mar. 14, 2007 at 4:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)french (anonymous)
I had a greenlight operation in Paris (hôpital Tenon) a month ago.
So much for all the Greenlight claims. Urination is still painful and there is always blood in the urine. In other words, I regret having trusted the ads. The surgeon says to keep on drinking a lot of water and not to worry...On the plus side, erectile function is maintained and there is little retrograde ejaculation, but I cannot say the operation, which supposedly implies a quick recovery and no bleeding is a success.
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