Transurethral microwave thermotherapy in symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: a possible association between androgen status and treatment result?
BACKGROUND
Nothing is yet known of possible endocrine effects of transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) or of possible influence of endocrine status on the result of thermotherapy.


METHODS
Serum levels of testosterone (T), SHBG, estradiol, LH, and PSH were measured in 48 men with BPH before and 2-3 months after TUMT (Prostatron, Prostasoft 2.0; Technomed International, Lyon, France). Assessment of results was based on the patients' own estimations.


RESULTS
The treatment did not alter hormone levels. Patients who reported response after 12 months (n = 21) had significantly lower outset levels of calculated free testosterone (fT) than in the nonresponders (n = 27). In the patients aged < 70 years (n = 13), both the fT and T values were lower than in the nonresponders (n = 15). There was no age difference between responders and nonresponders.


CONCLUSIONS
TUMT did not influence hormone levels. These observations suggest that androgen status may influence the final result of treatment.
Hallin
A
A
Department of Urology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Stege
R
R
Berlin
T
T
Carlström
K
K
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra
D013739:Testosterone