Changes in Symptom Score and Uroflowmetry in 3 and 6 Months after Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Lee, Sung Woon; Seo, Kyung; Moon, Young Tae; Kim, Kyung Do; Kim, Sae Chul

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) using the Prostatron with Prostasoft 2.5 software in the patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Patients with a Madsen symptom score (MSS) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of 8 or more and a maximal uroflow rate of 15mL/sec or less were treated. Fifty-five patients (mean age 64.5 years, range 54~75 years) were followed up for 3 months and 23 patients (mean age 63.9 years, range 52~72 years) for 6 months. The MSS, IPSS, and uroflowmetry values (maximal flow rate, average flow rate, delay time, flow time, voiding time, time to maximal flow, and postvoiding residual volume), and quality of life were measured at baseline and 3 and 6 months after TUMT.
RESULTS
The MSS (14.7 vs. 5.42, 14.2 vs. 3.90), IPSS (21.6 vs. 9.57, 20.0 vs. 6.73), and quality of life (4.37 vs. 2.53, 4.24 vs. 1.86) were significantly improved at 3 and 6 months after treatment (p<0.01). All uroflowmetry values except delay time were significantly improved at 3 months (p<0.01); at 6 months, the maximal flow rate (11.0 vs. 14.3 mL/sec), residual urine (70.3 vs. 22.6 mL) (p<0.01), and average flow rate (5.26 vs. 7.19 mL/sec) (p<0.05) were improved.
CONCLUSIONS
High-energy TUMT could be an effective and safe method for the treatment of symptomatic BPH. Further studies on the long-term outcome of this procedure are necessary.