Transurethral microwave thermotherapy: first experiences in Poland.
OBJECTIVE
To present early experiences in Poland with high-energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy (HeTUMT), considered as a serious alternative to surgery in managing benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).


METHODS
Sixty-one patients were treated in two centres using a commercial TUMT system. The patients were assessed at 5-6 weeks, 3 and 6 months after treatment, evaluating subjective complaints, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), urinary flow rate and postvoid residual volume.


RESULTS
A complete follow-up was available in 44 patients; most had symptomatic improvement 3 months after HeTUMT but it was slightly less pronounced after 6 months. The improvement in objective variables increased up to 6 months after HeTUMT. There was > or = 50% improvement in subjective complaints in 43% of the patients, in urinary flow rate in 25% and in residual urine in half. Two patients required re-treatment for a urethral stricture and ineffective HeTUMT.


CONCLUSIONS
HeTUMT may be a useful treatment for BPH but the outcome for an individual patient seems to be unpredictable. The indications for TUMT should be reviewed individually for each patient.
Jakubczyk
T
T
Department of Urology, Warsaw Medical School, Lindley'a 4, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland. tojak@amwaw.edu.pl
Stoklosa
A
A
Borkowski
A
A
Habrat
W
W
Dobrowolski
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000628:therapy*; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate / Q000379:methods*