a turp stands for transurethral resection of the prostate. it is a procedure done through the penis/urethra where the urologist uses an instrument called a resectascope to remove prostate tissue that may be blocking the urinary chanel. it is the gold standard urologic surgery to relieve urinary obstruction from a prostate gland that is enlarged and blocking urinary flow out of the bladder. most board-certified urologists are expert at this procedure as it is one of the common operations that urologists frequenty perform. whether it should be done prior to radiation for prostate cancer is dependent on a number of factors: 1. if your dad has a lot of urinary symptoms such as hesitancy small stream and poor flow he may benefit from a turp. 2. if the urologist measures a high residual urine in the bladder after voiding then a turp may be needed. 3. if there are other complicating factors such as bladder stones or bleeding from an enlarged prostate then he may need a turp. in general his urologist should explain to your dad why he thinks a turp is needed. on the other hand most men do not rountinely need a turp before external beam radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer.
my 76 year old dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. his urologist said he needs to have a turp first. should he?