Today, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended a treatment which could benefit around 13,000 men in England.

The majority of men over 60 years of age have non-cancerous growth of the prostate known as Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH). If this growth become symptomatic, they could be offered TURP (trans-urethral resection of the prostate) – where tissue is cut away using a thin, hot wire. This usually involves an overnight stay in hospital.

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)

NICE has given its backing to the GreenLight XPS device which uses green laser light, passed down a thin fibre fed through the urethra, to vapourise excess prostate tissue. Unlike TURP, GreenLight XPS laser treatment can be done as a day case, meaning the patient does not have to stay in hospital overnight. This could potentially save the NHS millions of pounds.

Professor Carole Longson, from NICE, said: “Whilst benign enlarged prostates may not be life-threatening, the condition can impact on men’s lives significantly. A procedure to reduce the amount of excess prostate tissue can improve the quality of life for men.”

NICE added that there is not enough evidence yet to support its use for high risk patients. This includes those with an increased risk of bleeding, urinary retention or prostates larger than 100 ml.

Professor Carole Longson: “We recommend that specialists collaborate to collect and publish data if GreenLight XPS is used in treating enlarged prostates in men classed as high risk. This will help improve the evidence base and could enable future recommendations on its use in these patients.”

If you are using GreenLight XPS and wish to be involved in a collaborative study, please contact tomlister@nhs.net.