Greater chance of PCa to damage from TURP or HoLEP for BPH?

Posted by daveys @daveys, Aug 27 1:22am

I just read a fantastic book (I mean I listened to it on Audible) called "An Elegant Defense" by Matt Richtel. In sum, it is an extraordinary book about the intricate human immune system, the latest discoveries and inventive procedures to either dampen or stimulate the immune system, and its effect on the prevention or stimulation of cancer and auto-immune diseases.

One part of the book discusses how injuries to the human body -- for example by smoking (since each inhale damages some lung tissue) or sunbathing (since the sun's rays cause damage to the skin and below) -- stimulate an immune response of one type or another, causing cells to divide rapidly in an attempt to repair the even slight damage. And, with increased cell division, there is a greater chance of a mutation which, either then or later, can develop into a cancer, depending on the specific person's immune system.

So, I am wondering if there are any studies investigating whether a person has a greater chance of developing PCa if he has previously undergone treatment for BPH by TURP, HoLEP, or other such procedures which obviously greatly damage prostate tissue?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Those treatments are in no way going to affect your ability to get or resist prostate cancer. You don’t get prostate cancer from having your prostate treated.

I would go by what the doctor thinks would work the best for you and not be concerned with Prostate cancer.

One thing that could happen, however, is that they could discover you have prostate cancer due to the treatment, Something that was not discovered unless you were treated.

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Well, there’s physical damage - cutting, lasering, burning…
And then there’s genetic damage - chemical carcinogens, ionizing radiation.
The latter is the one which may give rise to cancer since it can alter the DNA of cells.
True, constant (and I mean like daily) mechanical irritation from rubbing, chafing, etc can cause surface changes (hyperkeratosis) but rarely give rise to cancer.
So I would say NO to your question about BPH treatments giving rise to cancer. If you need surgical relief for a urinary issue, get it by all means…Best,
Phil

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