Transurethral microwave thermotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate uncommon before the age of 40 but occurring in most men as they age. The symptoms of BPH are generally attributed to bladder outlet obstruction from the enlarging prostate gland. However, not all men with enlarged prostates are symptomatic, and similar voiding symptoms can occur from other causes in the absence of BPH. Symptomatic BPH is a major health problem and a major expense to the healthcare system. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has been the treatment of choice for over 50 years, and until recently, approximately 400,000 TURPs have been performed annually in the United States at an estimated cost of $4 billion to $5 billion per year. TURP is an effective treatment for relief of prostatic obstruction and has generally been referred to as the gold standard.