Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) as an excisional procedure involving multiple incisions into the prostate does not differentiate between palpably benign prostate tissue and microscopic foci of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The impact of TURP on the progression of such 'latent' or 'incidental' tumours unique to the prostate gland has been a focal point of a continuing controversy. In studies designed to develop preclinical evidence that would lend support to, or detract from, either side of the TURP controversy, surgical trauma-induced stimulation of in situ tumour growth was extended to include human prostate tumour tissue PC-3, DU-145 and H-1579, albeit as xenografts in athymic nude males. A significant proliferative response of prostate tumours implanted directly in, adjacent to, or distant from, a freshly induced surgical wound, could be inhibited by a somatostatin analogue (Lanreotide) applied topically to the surgical site. This preclinical model supports TURP as a risk factor for biopsy or therapeutic surgical intervention procedures in benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), a risk factor that increases with the stage of disease in undetected cancers. It also suggests a potential clinical benefit that might be derived by applying Lanreotide directly to the surgically traumatised genitourinary area by simple irrigation of the urethra and bladder during or shortly post TURP.