[Transurethral microwave-thermotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Determining the therapeutic efficacy of transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Prospective.

Department of Urology, University Hospital Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

In the outpatient clinic, 130 BPH patients (mean age: 65.9 years (SD: 6.9); mean prostatic volume 50.2 cm3 (SD: 18.4)) received TUMT in a single session lasting 60 min. The prostate was heated to above 45 degrees C by a microwave antenna in a urethral catheter, resulting in tissue necrosis. In the first year after treatment the Madsen symptom score, maximal flow, residual volume, prostatic volume and concentration of prostate-specific antigen in blood were collected.

After 1 year 98 patients could be evaluated; of the other 32, 16 withdrew from follow-up, 10 underwent transurethral prostate resection and 6, other treatment. The maximal flow increased by 1.2 ml/s (SD: 4.0). The residual volume decreased by 15.8 ml (SD: 55.6). Symptom scores improved by 5.9 points (SD: 5.0). A 50% increase in symptom score was seen in 49.5% of all patients; 24.3% showed no improvement of complaints. There was no change in prostatic volume, whereas PSA concentration showed a transient increase in the first week after TUMT. Preliminary results after 6 months' follow-up of a randomised placebo-controlled study in 50 patients showed subjective and objective improvement of miction.

TUMT results in distinct subjective improvement. Urodynamic findings show a less pronounced improvement.