Prostate Specialist in Tripoli, Lebanon

About the prostate

The prostate is a small gland below the bladder that surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Because of where it sits, changes in the prostate often affect urination.

Prostate problems become more common with age, and most are not cancer.

Common prostate conditions

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, very common after 50, which can narrow the urethra
Prostatitis: inflammation or infection of the prostate, causing pelvic pain and urinary symptoms
Prostate cancer: one of the most common cancers in men, and often very treatable when found early

Symptoms

Prostate conditions can cause:

A weak or interrupted urine stream
Difficulty starting to urinate
Needing to urinate often, especially at night
A feeling that the bladder has not emptied
Pain in the pelvis or lower back, or painful urination
Blood in the urine or semen

Diagnosis

Examination of the prostate
A PSA blood test, a marker that can rise with BPH, prostatitis or cancer
Urine tests
Ultrasound to measure the prostate and check how well the bladder empties
MRI or biopsy when cancer is suspected

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the condition, how much the symptoms affect you, and your general health.

Monitoring and lifestyle

Mild BPH symptoms can often be managed by timing fluids, cutting down on caffeine and alcohol, and regular review.

Medication

Medicines that relax the prostate, or shrink it over time, improve urine flow for many men. Prostatitis is treated with antibiotics when infection is present.

Endoscopic surgery (TURP or laser)

When medication is not enough, excess prostate tissue is removed through the urethra, with no external incision.

Prostate cancer care

Options range from active surveillance for low-risk cancer to surgery or referral for radiotherapy, decided together with each patient.

Prostate cancer screening

Screening with a PSA test and examination can find cancer early. Whether and when to test is a personal decision. It is usually discussed from age 50, or from 40 to 45 for men with a family history of prostate cancer.

Frequently asked questions

No. BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement. It does not turn into cancer, but the two can exist together, so assessment is still important.

There is no single normal value. PSA rises with age and prostate size, and can also rise with infection, so your result is read together with your age, examination and earlier results.

Some medicines and procedures can affect ejaculation or erections. The likely effects of each option are explained before treatment so you can choose.

Screening is usually discussed from age 50, or from 40 to 45 for men with a family history of prostate cancer.

Most men are treated with medication. Surgery is considered when medication does not help enough, or when there are complications such as being unable to urinate.

This page is general information and does not replace a medical consultation.

Prostate Health