CHANGING TRENDS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PROSTATIC DISEASE IN A SINGLE PRIVATE-PRACTICE - A 5-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Evaluation and management services provided by the practicing urologist have changed dramatically during the last few years. This is particularly evident in the approach to men with bladder outlet symptoms and in those in whom the diagnosis of prostate cancer is a distinct possibility. The impact of medical management/observation of symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy, as well as the influence of prostate specific antigen, transrectal ultrasound and biopsy, radical prostatectomy and hormonal agents in a 3-man private clinical practice is analyzed. The records of 2,206 patients new to the practice who presented with a variety of prostate-related complaints from July 1, 1986 to June 30, 1991 were reviewed. Of these patients 1,822 (82%) were evaluated for presumed benign bladder outlet symptoms. During year 1 of the study, ending on June 30, 1987, 28% of the presumed benign prostatic hypertrophy patients were treated with transurethral prostatectomy, compared to only 8% of such patients in 1991. In contrast, alpha-blocking agents were used to treat 21% of these patients in 1991. Transrectal ultrasound biopsy currently accounts for 87% of all prostatic biopsies, increasing 4-fold during 5 years. Radical prostatectomy has increased 6-fold during the course of the study. Administration of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue has supplanted orchiectomy and estrogen therapy for the treatment of disseminated disease, as witnessed by a 4-fold increase in its use. While it is recognized that these trends are presently applicable to our local metropolitan region, they may reflect practice patterns in similar demographic groups, as well as predict future tendencies nationwide.