Transurethral thermotherapy using the Prostatron device.

Abstract

This paper reviews the available data on low- and high-energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Furthermore, it provides a perspective for this minimally invasive treatment modality in the selection of patients and in future developments. In evaluations of the two software modalities, several clinical studies have proved them to be effective. Whereas the lower-energy software seems to be the better choice for treatment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms who have a lower grade of outlet obstruction and a smaller prostate, the higher-energy mode should be used to deobstruct and can be used in patients with larger prostates and moderate to severe outlet obstruction. Although baseline parameters can be used to predict the response to treatment in the higher-energy software mode, the total amount of energy remains very important for the final outcome, and future efforts should be encouraged to quantify prostate vascularization and histology in relation to transurethral microwave heating. Furthermore, future developments should focus on shorter treatment times and minimization of morbidity.