The state of Kerala has always stood out in India for its achievements in healthcare, education, and quality of life. In recent years, it has also gained recognition as a destination for advanced medical treatments, particularly in the field of urology. Among the most common health concerns faced by men over the age of 50 is prostate disease—ranging from benign enlargement to prostate cancer.
Specialised centres such as the SDC Prostate Research and Training Centre in Thrissur have positioned Kerala on the map for advanced, minimally invasive prostate treatments. Patients now have access to therapies that are safer, quicker, and more effective than traditional surgeries. This article explores the spectrum of prostate care available in Kerala, the technologies behind it, and why men from across India and abroad choose Kerala for treatment.
Understanding Prostate Disorders
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located below the bladder, surrounding the urethra. As men age, it becomes prone to changes that can affect urination, sexual function, and overall health. The most frequent conditions include:
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): A non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, leading to urinary difficulties such as weak flow, frequent night urination, or incomplete emptying.
Prostate Cancer: A malignant growth that can spread if untreated; however, with early detection it is often highly curable.
Prostatitis: Inflammation or infection of the gland, causing pain, urinary issues, and sometimes fever.
While BPH is extremely common with age, cancer poses greater long-term risks. Both conditions highlight the need for early diagnosis and advanced, tailored treatments.
Why Choose Advanced Treatments?
In the past, surgery such as TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) or open prostatectomy was the standard approach. These were effective but often carried risks: longer hospital stays, significant blood loss, and higher chances of complications.
Advanced treatments, by contrast, offer:
Minimally invasive approaches with faster recovery.
Better preservation of quality of life, especially sexual and urinary functions.
Reduced hospital stay and costs in the long run.
Suitability for a wider age group, including older patients with other health issues.
This evolution in prostate care has transformed the patient journey in Kerala, where centres like SDC specialise in cutting-edge options.
Leading Advanced Prostate Treatments in Kerala
Kerala now offers a wide range of therapies. Some are focused on benign enlargement, while others target cancerous growths.
Minimally Invasive BPH Treatments
Techniques such as Rezum Water Vapour Therapy and UroLift are available at specialised centres. They work by either shrinking excess tissue or lifting it away from the urethra, restoring normal urine flow without major surgery.
Laser Surgery
Procedures like HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate) remove obstructing tissue with high precision, leading to shorter recovery times compared to open methods.
Prostate Cancer Care
For men diagnosed with cancer, advanced options include robot-assisted surgery, image-guided radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy. Kerala’s hospitals combine technology with experienced oncologists to deliver comprehensive care.
3. Leading Treatment Options at SDC / in Kerala
| Treatment | What it is / how it works | Advantages | Disadvantages / Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medication / Drugs | Alpha blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors etc. to shrink prostate or relax muscles. | Non-invasive; can slow symptoms; first line for mild/moderate BPH. | May not fully relieve symptoms; side effects; some patients eventually need surgery. |
| Natural / Lifestyle-based Treatment | Dietary modifications; herbal remedies; reducing prostate swelling via non-surgical means. (SDC has blog posts on natural management of prostate enlargement.) | Fewer risks; useful early or mild cases; acceptable to many patients. | Often slower; may not suffice for larger enlargement or severe symptoms. |
| Minimally Invasive Procedures | e.g. Rezum (water vapour therapy), UroLift, etc. SDC in Thrissur offers Rezum; also mentions UroLift. | Smaller incisions or no large cuts; less bleeding; faster recovery; preserve sexual function; shorter hospital stay. | Not always suitable (size, shape, pathology); newer techniques may have less long-term data. |
| Minimally Invasive Surgery | Laser surgeries such as HoLEP, or other endoscopic methods. | Good removal of obstructing tissue; less bleeding; faster recovery compared to open surgery. | Requires specialist expertise; equipment cost; not ideal for all anatomies. |
| Radical Surgery | For prostate cancer: radical prostatectomy (open, laparoscopic, robot-assisted). Available in Kerala (Specialists’ Hospital etc.). | Can be curative for localized cancer; if well done, high success; nerve-sparing possible. | More invasive; risk to continence / sexual function; higher recovery time; costlier. |
| Radiotherapy / Radiation Techniques | For cancer: external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), image-guided RT, intensity modulated RT etc. | Non-surgical; can treat tumors in difficult locations; less initial morbidity in some cases. | Side effects; risk of damage to adjacent tissues; longer treatment schedule. |
| Hormonal Therapy / Systemic Therapy | For prostate cancer especially advanced/metastatic; androgen deprivation therapy, newer agents etc. | Can control disease spread; sometimes adjunct to surgery/radiation. | Side effects; long-term impact; not curative alone for many cases. |
| Active Surveillance / Watchful Waiting | Monitoring rather than immediate intervention, particularly for low risk prostate cancer. | Avoid overtreatment; preserve quality of life; delay side effects. | Requires close follow-up; anxiety; risk of progression. |
6. Patient Journey at SDC Prostate Centre
Initial Consultation and Evaluation: History, symptom check, physical examination, possibly digital rectal exam, blood tests (including PSA), imaging (ultrasound / MRI).
Diagnosis: Deciding if it’s BPH, cancer, other issues. If cancer is suspected, biopsy.
Discussion of Treatment Options: SDC offers information on all options: natural treatments, minimally invasive, surgeries etc. Patient is counselled about risks and benefits.
Selection of Treatment: Based on the factors in section 5. Often patients are offered minimally invasive procedures first if suitable.
Procedure: For example, Rezum water vapour therapy (if eligible), or UroLift, or laser surgery. These require trained staff & facilities.
Post-operative / Follow-up Care: Recovery monitoring, managing side-effects, ensuring urinary flow improves, follow-up PSA (if cancer), check for continence / sexual function etc.
SDC also publishes blogs on “Prostate Specialist Kerala: Why SDC Prostate Centre in Thrissur is Your Best Choice” etc., emphasizing their expertise, training, patient-centred care
Comparing Treatment Modalities
Here is a simplified comparison of some of the leading treatment options in Kerala:
| Treatment | Approach | Recovery Time | Preservation of Sexual Function | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rezum Therapy | Steam ablation of excess tissue | 1–2 weeks | High | Mild to moderate BPH |
| UroLift | Implants to hold tissue away from urethra | Few days | Very High | Younger men with small-to-medium prostates |
| Laser Surgery (HoLEP) | Laser removal of tissue | 1–2 weeks | Moderate to High | Large prostates, severe symptoms |
| Radical Prostatectomy | Surgical removal of prostate (open/robotic) | 4–6 weeks | Variable | Localised prostate cancer |
| Radiotherapy | Targeted radiation beams | Several weeks | Moderate | Cancer treatment when surgery not suitable |
Rezum is a minimally invasive treatment using steam (water vapour) to ablate excess prostate tissue, relieving obstruction. It is often done under local or light anesthesia. Discomfort is minimal; patients may feel urinary urgency or mild burning temporarily post procedure. SDC provides Rezum as a choice for BPH with fewer side effects.
UroLift uses small implants to lift and hold prostate tissue out of the way of urethra without cutting or removing tissue. Compared to traditional surgeries (TURP, open prostatectomy), UroLift often has fewer side effects (especially sexual/ejaculatory dysfunction), shorter recovery, less hospital stay. But it may not be suitable for large prostates, or with certain anatomical variations.
Loss of function is a potential risk in many prostate surgeries, especially radical surgery for cancer. Minimally invasive procedures (e.g. UroLift, Rezum) tend to preserve sexual function better. SDC’s emphasis is on gentler options, so this risk is lower where those are feasible. But outcomes vary by patient.
Minimally invasive: often a few days to a couple of weeks. Major surgeries: several weeks, sometimes months to full recovery. Hospital stay is shorter for minimally invasive.
Yes. Even after successful treatment, follow up is essential: monitoring symptoms, PSA levels (in cancer cases), checking for complications (stricture, incontinence, etc.). If active surveillance is chosen, schedule is more frequent.
Yes. Untreated severe BPH can cause urinary retention, back-pressure to kidneys, bladder damage, infections. Early treatment helps prevent such complications. Blogs on SDC discuss “Does Enlarged Prostate Cause Kidney Problems Kerala”
Look for centres that offer a range of options (minimally invasive + surgery), experienced urologists, good patient outcomes, transparency about costs and side effects. Centres like SDC in Thrissur is most leading in Kerala.
Conclusion
Advanced prostate treatment in Kerala represents the best of modern medicine: cutting-edge technology, highly trained specialists, and a patient-centred philosophy. From minimally invasive therapies like Rezum and UroLift to comprehensive cancer management with robotic surgery and radiotherapy, Kerala offers solutions tailored to every stage of prostate disease.
Choosing the right treatment depends on age, overall health, and individual priorities. What stands out is the emphasis on quality of life—not just treating the disease, but ensuring men can live fully and confidently after treatment.
For anyone facing prostate concerns, centres such as SDC Prostate Research and Training Centre in Thrissur are a trusted destination. Kerala’s blend of advanced healthcare and compassionate care makes it a truly world-class hub for prostate treatment.
