An Italian research team?s results (published in the August, 2003 issue of the journal Urology) show that an injection of Botox into the prostate can relieve urination difficulties in older men who have enlarged prostate glands. Dr. Giorgio Maria and his colleagues from the University Hospital Agostino Gemelli in Rome believe they have a safe and effective treatment to shrink the prostate.

Normally, the prostate is quite small?it is nearly the same size and shape as a chestnut. It is located in front of the rectum, just below the bladder, and wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the tip of the penis. The prostate is made up of approximately 30 percent muscular tissue, and the rest is glandular tissue. As a man gets older, his prostate may increase in size. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). By age 70, more than 40 percent of men will have enlargement of the prostate that can be felt during a physical examination. If the prostate grows large enough, it may press against the urethra and make the flow of urine weaker or slower. Symptoms of BPH may include: a weak urinary stream; difficulty starting urination; frequent urination; and frequently awakening at night to urinate. Visit www.prostate.com to learn more about what the prostate is, about diseases of the prostate, and about treatment options.

An increase in the size of the prostate and a change in urine flow do not necessarily mean you have cancer; you may have BPH, an infection or another urologic condition. It is important to note that BPH is not cancer, nor has it been shown to increase the risk of prostate cancer. However, a man can have both BPH and prostate cancer. Severe cases of an enlarged prostate can require surgery.

In the study, Botox or saline solution was injected randomly into the prostates of 30 men. The men were tracked for an average of 20 months. After two months, 13 out of the 15 men who were injected with Botox reported relief from their urinary difficulties. Only three men who received the saline injection reported some relief. No side effects or complications were reported with the Botox injections. Currently Botox is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic applications. However, it is important to realize that Botox?s use in the urinary tract is clearly investigational, and it should be strongly emphasized that more research is needed.