Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a surgical procedure that is performed on men with prostate problems. It is most often performed when the patient has a noncancerous (benign) enlargement of the prostate called benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

However, TURP is also performed on patients with prostate cancer who are not good candidates for curative surgery. This may include elderly patients or patients whose disease is too far advanced to benefit from curative surgery. In such patients, TURP is a palliative procedure, which means it is designed to relieve symptoms rather than to cure cancer. It is often performed when a tumor is obstructing a patient’s ability to urinate. TURP may also be performed on cancer patients prior to treatment with other therapies.

The prostate is a fibrous gland that is located at the base of the bladder in men. It surrounds the urethra, the canal through which urine is discharged. The prostate gland secretes fluid that mixes with the sperm to make semen. When the prostate becomes enlarged, it compresses the urethra and causes urination difficulties. When enlargement is caused by a noncancerous overgrowth condition, it is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, cancer of the prostate can also cause this enlargement.

TURP is one of three major procedures performed on the prostate gland. It is usually performed when the prostate is moderately enlarged. The other procedures are:

• Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP). Similar to TURP, but typically performed on men with small prostates. It is often performed on an outpatient basis and requires a small incision in the prostate tissue that enlarges the opening (urethra) of the bladder. Relatively few men have prostates small enough to qualify for the surgery.
  
  
• Open prostatectomy (suprapubic or retropubic prostatectomy). Often used to remove prostates too large to be removed through a TURP. It involves removing the prostate through an external surgical incision.

Symptoms that may indicate blockage of the urethra due to prostate enlargement include:

• Frequent urination with small amounts of urine
  
  
• Need to urinate at night (nocturia)
  
  
• Difficulty starting a stream of urine
  
  
• Slow stream of urine
  
  
• Urine dripping out of urethra after urination (dribbling)
  
  
• Feeling that bladder is never empty
  
  
• Recurrent urinary tract infection