Common Terms
Ablation
The removal of tissue from the body through surgery.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
A noncancerous enlargement of the prostate that restricts urine flow.
Catheter
A thin, flexible tube inserted through the penis used to drain urine from the bladder.
Coagulation
The formation of a clot.
Cystoscope
An instrument that allows the doctor to examine the bladder and prostate.
Erectile dysfunction
Inability to have or maintain an erection of the penis.
Hematuria
Blood in the urine.
HoLEP
Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate.
Incontinence
Inability to control or hold back urine.
Impotence
Failure to achieve or to maintain an erection.
LUTS
Lower urinary tract symptoms.
Prostate
A walnut-sized gland that secretes prostatic fluid that carries sperm.
PVP
Photoselective vaporization of the prostate, which is a minimally invasive procedure for enlarged prostate correction; also called GreenLight™ Laser Therapy.
Retrograde ejaculation
When semen travels up the urethra toward the bladder instead of outside of the body.
Transurethral
To the urethral tube through the penis.
Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT)
A minimally invasive therapy for prostatic tissue removal that uses a microwave antenna to heat away enlarged prostatic tissue.
Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA)
A procedure for the removal of enlarged prostatic tissue that involves the use of radiofrequency needles to heat away the tissue.
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
A surgical approach to prostatic tissue removal.
Urethra
The tube through which urine is passed from the bladder.
Void
To urinate.
Water-induced thermotherapy (WIT)
A minimally invasive approach to prostatic tissue removal that involves hot water and a balloon pulled through the urethra to heat away undesired tissue.
