Treatment of BPH of the prostate with the Prostatron
FUS has
recently begun treating patients who suffer from BPH (benign prostatic
hyperplasia) with a newly FDA-approved technology known as TransUrethral
Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT). The equipment used for TUMT is the EDAP
Technomed Prostatron. Our Prostatron unit is housed in a mobile unit that
travels throughout Florida to other medical facilities to treat TUMT
patients. Please contact us at any time to find the location nearest you.
The
Prostatron provides relief from urinary frequency without surgery, general
anesthesia, needles or drugs. The Prostatron is an anesthesia-free
alternative to surgery and drug regimens. It is the first microwave
therapy approved as being safe and effective. The Prostatron is truly
minimally invasive.It works with gentle, precisely-controlled hearing of
the prostate while the sensitive urinary tract is cooled. In most cases,
the Prostatron provides long-term relief from symptoms and restoration of
urinary flow typical of people in your age group.
What are some common symptoms of
BPH?
-
Frequency of urination
-
Hesitancy of difficult start
- Urgency
of incomplete voiding
- Waking
to urinate
What is the prostate gland?
The
prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. The adult prostate
is about the size and shape of a walnut. Its primary function is to
produce semen, the fluid that carries sperm. It surrounds the urethra, the
tube that carries urine from the bladder.
What is benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH)?
BPH is a
non-cancerous condition in which prostate cells grow, enlarging the gland
and causing it to squeeze the urethra. A variety of symptoms may result,
including difficult, frequent, or urgent urination.
Is BPH a rare condition?
No, it is
very common. In fact, by the year 2000, BPH will probably affect as many
as 9 million men in the United States, most of whom will be over 50.
When should I seek treatment for
BPH?
If the
symptoms of BPH are affecting the quality of your life, it is time to seek
treatment. For instance, if you are losing sleep because you need to
urinate during the night, you may want to seek treatment.
What treatments are
available?
Until now,
the two standard treatments of BPH were medication and surgery. However,
the medications available for BPH are not always effective, cost hundreds
of dollars per year, and may cause side effects. The surgery commonly used
to treat BPH, called transurethral resection of the prostate ("TURP"),
removes tissue from the inside of the prostate. TURP requires anesthesia
and is associated with potential side effects such as incontinence and
impotence. Thermotherapy, the newest treatment option for BPH, is a
non-surgical, outpatient alternative that improves symptoms and urine flow
with no serious side effects.
The TUMT Procedure
TUMT is an
outpatient procedure. Upon arrival on your appointment day, you should
check in with the registration desk. A nurse will then compile and review
your pre-test results, have you sign a consent form, and have you change
into a patient gown. Medication may be given by injection to aid in
preventing future discomfort.
After
undressing, you will be asked to lie down on the treatment table. First,
your urethra will be locally anesthetized with lidocaine gel. Then, your
bladder may be emptied by a disposable urethral catheter. Next, a
treatment catheter will be positioned in your urethra and checked by
performing an ultrasound of your bladder. Next, you will be positioned on
your left side to facilitate the introduction of a small probe into your
rectum. This probe will be equipped with temperature sensors that will
continuously monitor rectal temperature.
After
initiation of the treatment, you may experience an urge to void. This is
not caused by a full bladder but is instead due to heat in the prostate.
If this intense urge is causing too much discomfort, some relieving
medication can be administered. The treatment itself takes exactly 60
minutes. Including preparation and machine start-up time, the whole
procedure can take a total of 1.5 to 2 hours. After treatment and removal
of the treatment catheter, your prostate may swell and cause a temporary
deterioration in your voiding. In approximately 30% of cases, this can
lead to urinary retention. If you are not able to void, a transurethral
catheter will need to be inserted. In most cases, this catheter can be
removed within a week.
Following
treatment, you can experience increased symptoms for 2 to 3 days,
including increased frequency, urgency, or pain upon urination.
Approximately 50% of patients may experience blood in their urine or
ejaculate or urethral bleeding. Urinary retention may occur in 30 to 60%
of patients, requiring a catheter temporarily. The improvement in
urination and consequent alleviation of your symptoms will occur gradually
and may continue to improve for 4 to 6 months. Irritative symptoms may
occur for weeks prior to improvement of your symptoms.
How do I know if TUMT is right
for me?
You should
discuss thermotherapy with your urologist. Now that thermotherapy with the
Prostatron has been approved by the FDA, many medical centers are making
it available. Reimbursement in Florida TUMT has been approved by most
health insurance companies and Medicare.
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