TRANSURETHRAL BALLOON LASER-ENHANCED THERMOTHERAPY IN THE CANINE PROSTATE

Background and Objective: Hyperthermia is performed for prostate cance r. We examined the selective induction of coagulone-crotic changes in the objective area of the canine prostate in enhancing the effect of h yperthermia and treating the target area with transurethral balloon la ser enhanced thermotherapy (TUBAL-ET) using a light absorbent material . Study Design/Materials and Methods: The heat exchange of ultrafine c arbon particles after laser irradiation was observed in a phantom stud y using thermography. The carbon solution was injected at the right pr ostatic lobe in dogs and TUBAL-ET was performed. Results: The charcoal absorbed the Nd:YAG; laser energy and apparently converted it into th ermal energy in the phantom study by thermographic observation. TUBAL- ET induced coagulonecrotic changes only at the area at which carbon ha d been injected in the prostate gland. The necrotic tissue was almost absorbed at four weeks after treatment. Conclusions: TUBAL-ET induces tissue damage at the target area in the prostate gland. (C) 1997 Wiley -Liss, Inc.