Adam from the Netherlands was diagnosed with prostate cancer several years ago and successfully overcame the disease. However, when frequent urination returned, it raised a new “warning sign.” Fortunately, the issue turned out to be benign, but finding a solution was not easy. After visiting numerous hospitals across several countries, he finally resolved the problem at the International Medical Center Priora in Čepin, where he underwent a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
The Search for a Solution Ended at Priora
This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove the part of the prostate causing urinary problems. The method is most commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.
My health problems began with frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom – sometimes several times a night – which significantly affected my sleep and quality of life. I consulted doctors, and the hospital immediately suggested removing the prostate, but I did not want that because of possible complications such as incontinence and other consequences, said 82-year-old Adam.
They began searching for alternative solutions, which led them to Germany, where prostate cancer was confirmed. They suggested a procedure without traditional surgery. Electrodes were placed on targeted areas, and electrical energy was used to destroy malignant cells. After the procedure, my condition improved significantly, and for some time everything was fine – he recalled. Three years later, the same symptoms returned – frequent urination and discomfort. They went back to Germany, where he underwent a so-called green laser procedure used to clear the inside of the prostate. That procedure also initially seemed successful. However, last summer, bleeding appeared, which worried him because it is never a good sign.
In the meantime, Adam and his wife, Margaret, moved from their native Netherlands to Herzegovina in search of a quieter life, surrounded by nature and sunnier weather.
We started searching for help again. In Mostar, we tried to complete the necessary examinations. However, we kept running into problems – we were sent from one place to another, from one institution to the next, without any concrete solution. We visited several hospitals but could not get proper diagnostics, his wife, Margaret, explained.
She added that there were even suspicions of cancer recurrence, and Adam was advised to urgently remove the prostate, even though the findings, including the PSA tumor marker, did not confirm this. After that, we found IMC Priora online. We contacted the hospital, sent our medical records and documentation, received an appointment very quickly, and came to Čepin. Urologist Dr. Tomislav Kalem impressed us with his approach. He was exceptionally kind, calm, and professional. He explained everything in detail, even drawing sketches to help us better understand the problem, and proposed a solution. Although my husband initially did not want surgery, after speaking with the doctor, we gained confidence and decided to proceed with the procedure, said Margaret.
The doctor explained that the symptoms were caused by narrowing of the urinary channel due to prostate changes after the previous procedure. It was a benign condition that could be removed through a minimally invasive, painless procedure.
Despite everything we went through, the most important thing for us is that we are now in a place where we trust the doctors and feel we are in safe hands – the couple emphasized.
TURP Procedure Enables Faster Recovery and Improved Urination
The most advanced methods and technologies are used for this surgical procedure at IMC Priora.
Transurethral resection of the prostate at IMC Priora is performed using a special instrument called a resectoscope, which is inserted through the urethra, eliminating the need for external incisions. This technique allows precise removal of excess prostate tissue and improves urine flow, explained urologist MSc Tomislav Kalem, Director of IMC Priora and Head of the Urology Department. This procedure is recommended for patients who experience symptoms such as difficulty urinating with a weak urine stream, frequent urination, especially at night, inability to empty the bladder, urinary tract infections caused by urine retention, and an increased risk of urinary retention or bladder and kidney damage.
Candidates for TURP are patients for whom conservative treatment with medication has not produced satisfactory results. Recovery takes between one and three days, while returning to normal activities is usually possible within two to four weeks, Dr. Kalem concluded.
