Microwave Thermotherapy of Prostate (Prolieve)
Are you looking for an alternative treatment to get symptom relief and end drug therapy?
New York Urologic continues to be at the forefront of cutting edge urology, and now has available the latest office-based BPH treatment.
What is the prostate?
A gland located below the bladder that produces semen, the fluid that carries sperm. It surrounds the urethra.
The newest addition to New York Urologic is the Prolieve Thermodilation System.
This is a minimally invasive treatment for the following symptoms:
- Frequent and urgent need to urinate
- Feeling of incomplete emptying
- Interference with sexual activity
- Awakening at night to urinate
- Weak urine flow
Prolieve Thermodilation Treatment
The Prolieve System offers a single, non-surgical treatment which uses direct heat deep into the prostate to destroy enlarged tissue while simultaneously dilating the prostatic urethra allowing urine to flow, typically immediately following treatment.
- This minimally invasive treatment is a safe in-office procedure
- 99% of patients treated did not experience any erectile dysfunction following the treatment
- 94% of patients report no or mild pain during treatment
- Topical anesthesia only
After Procedure
- After this procedure, the prostate shrinks with improvement in symptoms and urine flow
- Patients can resume normal activities immediately following treatment
Post Thermodilatation Procedure:
- 82% of patients go home without a catheter
- At two-weeks post-procedure, 51% of treated patients had a >30% improvement AUA symptom score
- At one-year post-procedure, 74% of treated patients had a >30% improvement in AUA symptom score
- At two-years post-procedure, 64% of treated patients had a >30% improvement in AUA symptom score
About Prolieve
The Prolieve System was brought into use in order to perform the Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy for treating symptoms of enlarged prostate, or BPH. This treatment is an excellent alternative to surgery or drug therapy. Just prior to start of treatment, an anesthetic will be applied to the tip of the penis. The patient may also receive some oral sedative medications. A catheter is then placed inside the bladder, and imaging (such as an ultrasound) will ensure that the equipment is properly placed. Then, a temperature monitor will be inserted to gauge the temperature of surrounding tissues, since microwave power will create heat that will be applied to a specific area of prostate gland. The heat-treated tissue will subsequently shrink and ultimately led to necrosis and disappearance of the sections of the prostate which were causing symptoms. The procedure will last about an hour to an hour and a half, at which time the catheter and temperature monitor will be removed. This procedure is ideal for men with a prostates measuring between 20 and 80 grams, a urethra length of 1.2-5.5 cm, and who currently take drug therapy. However the treatment effect is not immediate and patients usually see progressive improvement up to one year after the procedure took place.
Advantages over medications
This procedure offers tremendous relief of symptoms for many patients. Two weeks after the procedure, over half of patients had greater than a 30% improvement in their AUA symptom score. By one year post-procedure, that number rose to almost three quarters of patients. Patients often find relief of their BPH symptoms more quickly than do patients on medications, and they have none of the physiological risks inherent in taking a strong medication. Patients can also return to work or regular physical activity very soon after the procedure – usually in just a day or two. This procedure is successful in that over time, many patients can continue their daily activities with reduced pain and discomfort and without the need to urinate frequently. They can also sleep without getting up to urinate and maintain a sex life.
Risk Involved
In general, it is very well tolerated procedure with very minimal risks. Patients do not need to go under dangerous general anesthesia, and more than 80% of patients will go home without a catheter. Most importantly to many patients, 99% do not have any erectile dysfunction or ejaculatory problems after the Prolieve treatment. There is no discomfort during the procedure, and symptoms are cleared within a few days. Some patients have rare side effects, but common mild side effects include bladder spasms, soreness, and slight blood in the urine.
The patient must undergo the procedure at an office, outpatient clining or local hospital. The patient must also stay completely awake during the procedure, and notify the doctor of any unusual sensation or pain during the treatment.
Patient Instructions
Patients should allow a few days for recovery, and should expect to be given local anesthetics as well as medication to help them relax and remain calm during the procedure. Men who undergo the heat treatment should notify their doctor of any pain or bleeding after the treatment. In addition, patients should immediately notify their physician if they develop signs of urinary infection, or have problems urinating. They should also fully disclose their medical history to their physician before the procedure. Patients should be seen by a urologist before having this procedure, who will perform the necessary tests, including a Cystoscopy, urodynamic study, PSA testing, prostate biopsy before deciding that microwave (Prolieve) therapy is the best option.