Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Male LUTS/BPH Made Easy pp 1–19Cite as

History of LUTS/BPO and Evolution of Concepts and Terminology

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 904 Accesses

Abstract

The existence of the prostate gland and of prostatic disorders was a mystery for many centuries. Nevertheless, the story of diagnosis and treatment of benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) is one of the most relevant issues in urology and perfectly illustrates the evolution of medicine. The gradual increase of life expectancy over the centuries made possible for chronic disorders associated with aging to develop and for their prevalence to grow. Urinary retention was the most ominous complication of prostatic obstruction leading to renal insufficiency, urinary tract infection, and sometimes death of the patient. Initially, the approach to urinary retention mainly consisted in restoring urethral patency by the means of catheters. Invasive BPH treatments were introduced only in the seventeenth and nineteenth century. Undoubtedly, the technological improvement associated with the industrial revolution resulted in the development of sophisticated devices that could be entered in the male urethra to remove the obstructive adenomatous tissue. The availability of lighting systems and current for electrocautery helped to design the modern electroresectoscope and to develop the technique of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Towards the end of the nineteenth century, surgical techniques for prostate removal were proposed and rapidly developed in the new century. A large number of methods and surgical accesses (retropubic, suprapubic, perineal) prove the complexity of the problem for operators. However, thanks to the evolution of these techniques, adenomectomy has been recognized as the appropriate therapeutic method for “large” prostate adenomas. The technologies available today such as laparoscopy or surgical robots “imitate” the principles of adenomectomy developed many years ago.

The pathophysiology of benign prostatic enlargement remains an elusive issue beyond the obvious permissive role of androgens. Lower urinary tract symptoms, once uniquely associated with BPE in the male patient, now recognize different underlying disorders involving the central and peripheral nervous system, the urinary bladder, the prostate, and the pelvic floor. A consensus as to the terminology of LUTS and prostate disorders has been achieved although proper terminology is not always implemented. The diagnosis and management of benign prostatic enlargement and LUTS remains a challenge for the practicing urologist.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Mattelaer J, Schultheiss D. Europe – the cradle of urology. Arnhem: History Office of the European Association of Urology; 2010. p. 164–72.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Shelley HS. The enlarged prostate: a brief history of its treatment. J Hist Med Allied Sci. 1969;24:452–73.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Marx FJ, Karenberg A. History of the term prostate. Prostate. 2009;69(2):208–13. PubMed PMID: WOS:000262701200011. English.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Herr HW. The enlarged prostate: a brief history of its surgical treatment. BJU Int. 2006;98(5):947–52. PubMed PMID: 17034596.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Mercier LA. Recherches sur le traitement des maladies organes urinaires. 1856; 36–213.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Oswald LS. The development of the human prostate gland with reference to the development of other structures at the neck of the bladder. Am J Anat. 1912;131:299–349.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Selman SH. The McNeal prostate: a review. Urology. 2011;78(6):1224–8. PubMed PMID: 21908026.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. McNeal JE. Regional morphology and pathology of the prostate. Am J Clin Pathol. 1968;49(3):347–57.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. McNeal JE. Normal histology of the prostate. Am J Surg Pathol. 1988;12(8):619–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Shackley D. A century of prostatic surgery. BJU Int. 1999;83(7):776–82. PubMed PMID: 10368195. English.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Rognon LM, Raymond G. A historical overview of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Ann Urol. 1992;26(3):167–87. PubMed PMID: WOS:A1992JG53200007. French.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Beer E. Removal of neoplasms of the urinary bladder; a new method, employing high-frequency (oudin) currents through a catheterizing cystoscope. Am J Med. 1910;54(22):1768–9.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Stern M. Resection of obstruction at the vesical orifice; new instruments and new method. JAMA. 1926;87(21):1726–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. McCarthy JF. A new apparatus for endoscopic plastic surgery of the prostate, diathermia and excision of vesical growths. J Urol. 1931;26:695–9.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Nesbit RM. Modification of the Stern-McCarthy resectoscope permitting 3D perception during transurethral prostatectomy. J Urol. 1939;41:646–8.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hopkins HH, Kapany NS. A flexible fibrescope, using static scanning. Nature. 1954;173((4392):39–41. PubMed PMID: WOS:A1954UA36600025. English.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Emmett JL, Gilbaugh Jr JH, McLean P. Fluid absorption during transurethral resection: comparison of mortality and morbidity after irrigation with water and non-hemolytic solutions. J Urol. 1969;101(6):884–9. PubMed PMID: 5771262.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Goodfellow G. Median perineal prostatectomy. JAMA. 1904;7:194–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Proust R. Technique de la prostatectomie périnéale. Ass Franc Urol. 1901;5:361–74.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Young HH. Conservative perineal prostatectomy; a presentation of new instruments and technic. JAMA. 1903;10:999–1009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Belfield WI. Operation on the enlarged prostate, with a tabulated summary of cases. M J Med Sci. 1890;100:439–52.

    Google Scholar 

  22. McGill AF. Suprapubic prostatectomy. Br Med J. 1887;2:1104–5.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Fuller E. Six successful and successive cases of prostatectomy. J Cutan Genitourin Dis. 1895;6:229–39.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Freyer PJ. A new method of performing perineal prostatectomy. Br Med J. 1900;1(2047):698–9. PubMed PMID: 20758920. Pubmed Central PMCID: 2505977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Freyer PJ. A clinical lecture on total extirpation of the prostate for radical cure of enlargement of that organ: with four successful cases. Br Med J. 1901;2:125–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Blandy JP. Surgery of the benign prostate. First Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Lecture. Ir Med J. 1977;70(17):517–22. PubMed PMID: 338549.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Keynes EL. The control of haemorrhage after prostatectomy. Ann Surg. 1892;16:454–60.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Harris HS. Prostatectomy with complete closure. Med J Aust. 1928;11:288–98.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Harris HS. Suprapubic prostatectomy with closure. Br J Urol. 1929;11:285–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Hryntschak T. Suprapubic transvesical prostatectomy with primary closure of the bladder; improved technic and latest results. J Int Coll Surg. 1951;15(3):366–8. PubMed PMID: 14824592.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Millin T. Retropubic prostatectomy; a new extravesical technique; report of 20 cases. Lancet. 1945;2(6380):693–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. White JW. The results of double castration in the hypertrophy of the prostate. Ann Surg. 1895;22:1–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Murphy LJT. The history of urology. Charles C. Thomas: Springfield; 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Abrams P. New words for old: lower urinary tract symptoms for “prostatism”. BMJ (Clin Res). 1994;308(6934):929–30. PubMed PMID: 8173393. Pubmed Central PMCID: PMC2539789. Epub 1994/04/09. eng.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Abrams P, Feneley RCL, Torrens MJ. Urodynamics. Springer Verlag: Berlin; 1984. p. 6–25.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Berry SJ, Coffey DS, Walsh PC, Ewing LL. The development of human benign prostatic hyperplasia with age. J Urol. 1984;132(3):474–9. PubMed PMID: 6206240. Epub 1984/09/01. eng.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Denis L, McConnell J, Khoury S, et al. Recommendations of the International Scientific Committee: The evaluation and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction. In: Denis L, Griffiths K, (eds.). Proceedings of the Fourth International Consultation on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Health Publications Ltd.: United Kingdom; 1998; 669–84.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Roehrborn CG. Focus on lower urinary tract symptoms: nomenclature, diagnosis, and treatment options: highlights from the 5th international consultation on benign prostatic hyperplasia June 25–27, 2000, Paris, France. Rev Urol. 2001;3(3):139–45. PubMed PMID: 16985706. Pubmed Central PMCID: PMC1476056. Epub 2006/09/21. eng.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Abrams P, Torrens MJ, Feneley RCL, Cardozo L, Fall M, Griffiths D, et al. The standardisation of terminology of lower urinary tract function: report from the Standardisation Sub-committee of the International Continence Society. Neurourol Urodyn. 2002;21(2):167–78. PubMed PMID: 11857671. Epub 2002/02/22. eng.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Abrams P, D’ancona C, Griffiths D, et al. Lower Urinary Tract Symptom: Etiology, Patient Assessment and Predicting Outcome from Therapy. In: Mcconnell J, Abrams P, Denis L, Khoury S, Roehrborn C, (eds.). Male lower urinary tract dysfunction. Evaluation and management. Health Publications: Paris; 2006; 71–142.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Chapple CR, Roehrborn CG. A shifted paradigm for the further understanding, evaluation, and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in men: focus on the bladder. Eur Urol. 2006;49(4):651–8. PubMed PMID: 16530611. Epub 2006/03/15. eng.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Oelke M, Bachmann A, Descazeaud A, Emberton M, Gravas S, Michel MC, et al. Guidelines on the management of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), incl. benign prostatic obstruction (BPO): European Association of Urology. 2012; 6–8.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, M. Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, and Institute of Oncology, Roentgena 5, Warsaw, 02-781, Poland

    Roman Sosnowski

Authors
  1. Roman Sosnowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roman Sosnowski .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom

    Christopher R. Chapple

  2. Department of Urology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy

    Andrea Tubaro

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sosnowski, R. (2014). History of LUTS/BPO and Evolution of Concepts and Terminology. In: Chapple, C., Tubaro, A. (eds) Male LUTS/BPH Made Easy. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4688-9_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4688-9_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4687-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4688-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation