Q: My 58 years old father’s prostate weighs 45 gm. He experiences discomfort while passing urine. His water retention is in normal range. Does he need to be operated upon?

A:Neither the age of the patient or the weight of prostate ever indicate the need for surgery. However, the symptoms decide the need for treatment after a physical examination. Treatment can be in form of medical or surgical intervention depending on severity of the symptoms. Ineffective bladder emptying with back pressure changes on the kidneys with deranged kidney functions may form straightforward indications for surgery. Thus, he needs to be evaluated for many other things by a urologist apart from the information provided by you before a decision may be taken.