Enlarged Prostate Treatment, Non-Surgical BPH Treatment & Prostate Therapy

There are a number of BPH treatments available. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each enlarged prostate treatment will help you decide which treatment is right for you. Discuss this prostate therapy information with your urologist.

Minimally Invasive Treatments (MIT)

Men who want long-term relief of BPH symptoms or obstruction often choose a non-surgical, minimally invasive, office-based treatment as a cost-effective alternative for BPH. Research has proven that minimally invasive treatments are a safe, effective and durable option for BPH. These treatments may be appropriate for patients who do not want to take daily medications for the rest of their lives, dislike the side effects of medication or do not want the risks or side effects of invasive surgery. There are several MITs available for men with BPH. Treatments include Radio Frequency (RF) therapy, High Energy Transurethral Microwave Therapy (HE-TUMT), and Low Energy Transurethral Microwave Therapy. RF therapy and HE-TUMT use precisely targeted heat to destroy the enlarged prostate tissue and both have clinical data supporting durability up to 5 years following treatment.1,2 Some of the risks associated with MITs may include pain/discomfort, urgency to urinate, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection and obstruction.3

Urologix offers two choices for your physician - Cooled ThermoTherapy™ and Prostiva® RF Therapy.

Cooled ThermoTherapy – is a non-surgical, office-based treatment for BPH that uses microwave energy to heat and destroy enlarged prostate tissue. Unlike other treatments, Cooled ThermoTherapy uses cooling technology to minimize discomfort during treatment. Cooled ThermoTherapy has been FDA approved since 1997.

Prostiva RF Therapy - is a non-surgical, office-based treatment for BPH using the RF (Radio Frequency) technology. This therapy offers the urologist direct visualization that is desired for the treatment of complex anatomy and smaller glands.

1) Mynderse, L., et. al., Results of a Multi-Center Trial of a New Generation Cooled ThermoTherapy for BPH, Journal of Urology, May 2010, Vol 185, No 5

2) Hill, B., et. al., Transurethral Needle Ablation vs TURP for the treatment of Symptomatic BPH: 5-Year Results of a Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Clinical Trial, Journal of Urology Vol 171, 2336-2340, June 2004

3) For a complete list of all risks associated with a particular MIT, please visit the manufacturer’s website.

Prostate Therapy Medication

Enlarged Prostate Treatment, Non-Surgical BPH Treatments & Prostate Therapy from Urologix Medication is often the first-line treatment against enlarged prostate symptoms. However, drugs may need to be taken once or twice a day for the rest of your life. Over time, the cost can become a large expense and drugs are not effective for all patients. Side effects may include fatigue, headache, dizziness, impotence and loss of sex drive.1

Significant cost of lifetime use of current medications – if you stop taking them they stop working.
Over 50% of patients who start a regimen of medications for BPH discontinue the treatment within three years.2

1Flomax®, Tamsulosin hydrochloride, Patient Information About Flomax Capsules, Table 3, Treatment Emergent Adverse Events Occurring in ≥2% of Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride) capsules or placebo patients in the U.S. short-term placebo-controlled clinical studies, Page 14, July 17, 2006.
2Long-Term Risk of Re-Treatment of patients using Alpha-Blockers for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms. J. De La Rosette, et al. The Journal of Urology, Vol. 167, 1734-1739, April 2002.

Enlarged Prostate Treatment Surgery

Enlarged Prostate Treatment, Non-Surgical BPH Treatments & Prostate Therapy from Urologix Surgery may be considered when symptoms have not improved with another non-surgical BPH treatment. It removes large amounts of prostate tissue and is performed in a hospital or surgical center and requires general anesthesia. Surgical treatment options for BPH carry a higher risk of complications, including: retrograde ejaculation, impotence and incontinence.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
TURP is one of the most common forms of surgery and is typically very successful. Although TURP is often successful, it has significant drawbacks.1 This procedure requires a hospital stay of 1-2 days.2 Ten percent of patients need another procedure in 5 years.3 And, on average, patients require a catheter for 10 to 14 days following surgery.4

Laser Surgery, Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate (PVP)
Laser surgery is another surgical procedure similar to a TURP except tissue is removed through laser energy. This procedure requires an average hospital stay of 1 day.5 Some experience post operative pain, discomfort and bleeding up to six weeks following treatment.6

1Leveillee, Raymond J., et. al., Prostate Hyperplasia, Benign, http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic1919.htm, last updated August 1, 2006.
2Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia, http://www.webmd.com/hw/mens_conditions/hw60259.asp, Accessed January 10, 2008.
3American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc., Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): A Patients Guide, pages 14-15, 2003.
4Davies, John, A Patient’s Guide to TURP – Your Prostate Operation, page 11, July 2005.
5Bouchier-Hayes, David M., et. al, A Randomized Trial Comparing Photo-Vaporization and Trans-Urethral Resection of the Prostate in Patients with BPH, Journal of Urology, Vol. 173, No.4, April 2005.
6SteadyHealth.com, Health Topics Forum Index -> Men's Health -> Prostate Problems, http://www.steadyhealth.com/painful_urination__6_weeks_after_pvp_laser_surgery_t71755_st10.html. Accessed January 11, 2007.

As with any medical procedure individual results will vary. Please consult your urologist for more information.