Thermoregulation in the canine prostate during transurethral microwave hyperthermia, Part II: Blood flow response

Recent studies on transurethral-applied local hyperthermia in both the canine and human prostate have revealed significant effects of natural thermoregulation on the therapeutical results in the prostate. Using a thermal clearance method, blood perfusion rates were measured within different regions in the canine prostate under normal and hyperthermic conditions. It has been found that the canine-prostatic blood perfusion is strongly linked to the geometrical location within the gland, the local tissue temperature, and the imposed thermal dosage. Results from this research are expected to provide a better understanding of the thermoregulatory behaviour in the canine prostate, and thus lay an important foundation for predicting tissue temperature in the human prostate during transurethral microwave hyperthermia.