[Local hyperthermia in the treatment of benign prostatic diseases]

Local Prostatic Hyperthermia is a 8 year old procedure that has been used for treating benign prostatic hypertrophy, chronic non bacterial prostatitis and prostatic carcinoma. We treated 80 patients affected by benign prostatic diseases who referred to our Clinic from November 1990 to December 1991. 42 patients were affected by benign prostatic hypertrophy (7 of them with permanent bladder catheter) and 18 patients were affected by chronic non bacterial prostatitis. A 915 Mhz microwaves generator apparatus with endorectal probe and cooling circuit has been used. The criteria we used to include patients in treatment were the following: high operating risk, the refusing of the operation, a prostatic volume bigger than 180 cc and finally a rectum thick less than 10 mm. All patients underwent preliminary echographic, hematic , urodynamic and rectoscopic exams. A prostatic biopsy was taken at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. During every session, which lasted sixty minutes and was repeated twice a week, we applied a temperature of 42 C degrees in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy, and a temperature of 41 C degree in those with chronic non bacterial prostatis. Patients were checked with the same echographic and urodynamic parameters three months, six months and 1 year after the treatment. Subjective and objective symptoms improved in 65% of cases, and we also noticed a 50% reduction of post-urination residue, with an increase of maximal urinary flux. We also noticed a decrease of the dysuria and nycturia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)