Purpose: To report the initial experience with CoreTherm-monitored transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) for individualized treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Patients and methods: The CoreTherm procedure uses a urethral microwave catheter through which a tiny temperature sensor is placed in the adenoma to allow real-time monitoring of intraprostatic temperature during TUMT. The cell kill volume can be calculated and the treatment time adjusted to both the patient's actual prostate volume and the prostatic blood flow. A series of 102 patients was treated.
Results: All patients were able to tolerate the treatment in an outpatient clinic setting, with temperatures >49 degrees C being reached in all cases. The total treatment times averaged 25 minutes, and the peak intraprostatic temperature averaged 61 degrees C. The median catheter time was 8.5 days. Patients were followed an average of 5.6 months. The American Urological Association Scores fell to 11 from 18 prior to CoreTherm TUMT. There were minimal treatment-related complications.
Conclusion: CoreTherm-monitored TUMT is safe and tolerable, with shorter treatments than are required by older forms of TUMT.