Clinical efficacy of a new 30-min algorithm for transurethral microwave thermotherapy: initial results.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a new 30-min algorithm for high-energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT, Prostasoft 3.5) in the treatment of men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 108 men (mean age 66 years) with bothersome LUTS were treated with the new TUMT protocol. All patients were evaluated using a standard assessment at baseline, 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks after TUMT. The evaluation included the assessment of objective and subjective outcome measures, with a urodynamic evaluation using pressure-flow analysis, and the occurrence of adverse events.

RESULTS: The treatment was well tolerated. In general, the International Prostate Symptom Score improved from a mean of 20.0 at baseline to a mean of 9.3 at 6 months after treatment. The maximum urinary flow improved from 9.4 mL/s to 14.6 mL/s at 6 months. The mean duration of catheterization was 17.9 days. The urodynamic evaluation showed a change from the obstructed to the equivocal zone on the Abrams-Griffith nomogram. There were no serious complications. Urgency and frequency were the most frequent side-effects after treatment; these all resolved within 3 months.

CONCLUSION: High-energy TUMT using the new high-dose Prostasoft 3.5 protocol appears to be a safe and effective treatment. The faster procedure improves the tolerance of the treatment. The subjective and objective improvements were significant and the treatment-related morbidity low. A longer follow-up is needed to assess the durability of this new treatment protocol.