Prostate Surgery??

[ilovemarkb]

Is there an upper age limit for a man to be considered for TURP surgery or some kind of prostate reduction surgery ( in UK)? He is 79 in this August. Aching groin impacts greatly on his quality of life. Has to sit on a donut type cushion. Frequent urination, slow trickle etc. Been taking Alfusozin for over a year but doesn't help. Healthy heart and lungs. Slightly low blood pressure. Healthy weight and diet. Walks with stick due to arthritic changes in legs and back. Complains of fuzzy head but he is ex excess alcohol drinker PRE Covid. Love to take him to GP to be referred to urology consultant but dont want to build his hopes of been refused. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Buenchico]

I can't think of any reason why a 79-year-old shouldn't have the op. Reliable internet sources (i.e. those based upon scientific studies, rather than one individual's view of things) state, for example, that one in 8 TURP patients in Austria are over 80 years of age.

It's one of the most frequently carried out operations in the UK and, from the patient's perspective, remarkably simple. (Mine was carried out with a regional anaesthetic, meaning that I was wide awake all of the time that the surgeon was snipping bits out from inside me. Both the operation itself and the recovery period were totally pain-free).

There are, however, alternative procedures available, which are mentioned here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/transurethral-resection-of-the-prostate-turp/

An enlarged prostate can, of course, be a sign of prostate cancer. (My TURP operation found cancer cells, whereas my friend's didn't). So, irrespective of what type of treatment might be offered, it's important that the person you refer to gets checked out by his GP and/or a urologist with, at the very least, a PSA test every so often.

[Sqad]

If, it is Prostate problems and he is fit enough for surgery, then age should not be a factor in any kind of surgery.

The problem may not be in his Prostate......e.g Diabetes.

The situation needs to be discussed with his GP.

[Gizmonster]

My dad had his prostate "shaved" quite recently (within the last year or so) and he's 86 next month, so I can't envisage any reason why he'd be refused .... apart from any health problems .... but it looks like your friend is relatively fit and healthy.

[William51]

I do not think age comes into it. I had a Radical Prostatectomy where the prostate was removed in surgery and i was 67. There is nothing to fear from surgery because the NHS treatment is top notch.

[Peter Pedant]

The situation needs to be discussed with his GP.
erm and the anaesthetist ! hem hem

and no it shouldnt be

[Peter Pedant]

Oh, hasnt been seen yet
yeah first stop GP

[jourdain2]

OH was 80+ when he had a resection, laser and local anaesthetic. No problems at all.

[Khandro]

My urologist once told me that the oldest of his patients he'd sent for surgery was 93 !