Transurethral microwave thermotherapy: first experiences in Poland

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Minimally Invasive Therapies

Background:

• Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a common condition in aging men.
• Surgical interventions for BPH carry risks and potential complications.
• High-energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy (HeTUMT) emerged as a less invasive alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the initial clinical experiences with HeTUMT in Poland for BPH management.
• To evaluate HeTUMT as a viable non-surgical option for BPH.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 61 patients with BPH were treated with a commercial HeTUMT system across two centers.
• Patient assessments included subjective symptom evaluation, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, and post-void residual volume measurements.
• Follow-up evaluations were conducted at 5-6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-treatment.

Main Results:

• Complete follow-up data was obtained from 44 patients.
• A majority of patients reported symptomatic improvement by 3 months, with a slight decrease at 6 months.
• Objective parameters like urinary flow rate and post-void residual volume showed improvement up to 6 months.
• Significant improvements were noted: >=50% in subjective complaints (43%), flow rate (25%), and residual urine (50%).
• Two patients required re-treatment due to urethral stricture and treatment ineffectiveness.

Conclusions:

• HeTUMT presents a potentially beneficial treatment modality for benign prostatic hypertrophy.
• Individual patient outcomes following HeTUMT can be unpredictable.
• Careful, individualized patient selection and review of indications for HeTUMT are crucial for optimal results.