Radiofrequency Thermal Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Transurethral Needle Ablation of the Prostate (TUNA): An Update.
Prevalence of symptomatic benign prostatic hypertophy (BPH) is 30% in the sixth decade of life and
approaches 50% in the eighth decade of life. Comparable prevalence values are reported in Occidental
and Oriental cultures, which suggests the disease susceprible to neither environmental nor cultural
favoritism. "Prostatism" is the descriptive word for the BPH constellation of symptoms, which appear as a
result of bladder outlets obstructed by an enlarged prostate. In traditional prostatism, prostate growth has a
benign etiology. These urologie symptoms may be either irritative (difficulty postponing urination, frequent
awakenings at night for urination), obstructive (weak stream, hesitancy), or both. In the context of so much
morbidity associated with the BPH symptom complex, this disease is arguably the most bothersome disease
for the elderly male. With improvements in healthcare, and with men having longer life expectancies, there
is the appreciation of an expanded patient population. It has become possible to heat the prostate with
radiofrequency energy (RF) to relieve symptoms associated with BPH using a heating technique called
"transurethral needle ablation of the prostate" (TUNA). By both subjective and objective criteria, TUNA theraphy
to the prostate for BPH compares favorably with traditional surgical treatment. Now the durability of
the TUNA treatment is demonstrated beyond three years.
Emory University School of Medicine.
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