eMedicine - Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy of the Prostate (TUMT) : Article by Jonathan Rubenstein, MD

eMedicine - Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy of the Prostate (TUMT) : Article by Jonathan Rubenstein, MD: "One (of many) minimally invasive methods for the treatment of symptomatic BPH is transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT). TUMT involves the insertion of a specially designed Foley-type catheter into the bladder, allowing a microwave antenna to be positioned within the prostatic fossa. Microwaves are then created to heat and destroy the hyperplastic prostate tissue. The goal of microwave therapy is to provide a one-time efficacious treatment of LUTS due to BPH, avoiding the risk associated with TURP or open prostatic enucleation and avoiding the need to take medicines daily and the risk associated with pharmacotherapy. Early results show excellent symptomatic relief, although long-term follow-up data are not yet available and the improvement is often less than that after TURP. The technology and results after TUMT continue to evolve."