Aktuelle Meldungen

Current results of the two-year SPIRIT-Study prove clear advantages of the brachytherapy

Higher quality of life, rarely occurring incontinence and improved erectile function. The latest results from the SPIRIT study demonstrated clear advantages of brachytherapy over radical prostatectomy in patients with localized prostate cancer. Even in terms of patient satisfaction brachytherapy is far superior to an operation.

Non-invasive laser procedure to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia have high demands on the expertise of the surgeon

For several years minimally invasive procedures are available through modern laser therapy, with which excess prostate tissue can be evaporated carefully and bloodlessly. "However, the surgeon should have extensive experience," emphasizes Dr. Stephan Neubauer, urologist at the West German Prostate Center. Only when the procedure is performed by a specialist, high quality treatment and a low complication rate is guaranteed.

In the so-called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), tissue of the prostate gland grows increasingly more into the area of the urethra. Due to the narrowing of the urethra, the strength of the urine stream decreases and sometimes urine remains in the bladder. The consequences are constant urge to urinate, weak flow, and uncomfortable dribbling.

Great benefits for men in good health

Despite the many supporters of PSA testing for early detection, prostate cancer is still controversial. The reason: on average, 48 men with abnormal PSA results must be treated in order to prevent one death case. Thus, most of the men often die of other diseases, before they fall victim to the cancer. "In reverse, this would mean that men with a stable health condition would benefit far more from the test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA)," says Dr. Pedram Derakhshani, urologist at the West German Prostate Center in Cologne. That this is actually true has now for the first time been documented by an American study that recently appeared in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Active dialogue between patients and experts: More than 100 participants gathered information on the topic of prostate

For the 10th time the West German Prostate Center conducted on 09 December in Cologne, an information session addressing all issues surround the prostate. The focus was in addition on discussing early detection and prevention and on the various treatment options of benign and malignant prostate diseases. More than 100 participants, patients and their relatives were informed about the current state of available options. They participated in discussions and presented their own personal questions to the experts.