THE USE OF A REMOVABLE STENT IN PATIENTS WITH PROSTATE-CANCER AND OBSTRUCTION

Purpose: A second generation temporary stent (ProstaCoil) was inserte d into the prostatic urethra of patients with obstruction due to prost ate cancer to allow spontaneous voiding during hormonal therapy given to decrease the size of the prostatic mass. Materials and Methods: The stent was inserted under fluoroscopic guidance using topical anesthes ia in 27 patients (mean age 77 years) who presented with urinary reten tion due to advanced carcinoma of the prostate. All patients underwent operative or nonoperative hormonal therapy shortly after insertion of the stent. Results: Followup of our patients was 3 to 48 months after stent removal and 15 void spontaneously. In 6 patients the stent was removed 9 to 19 months after insertion due to slow regression of the p rostatic mass. Two of these patients required transurethral resection of the prostate and in 3 a new stent was inserted because of recurrent obstruction. Two recently treated patients await stent removal and 3 died before removal of the stent. During followup no patient had urina ry infection, either with the stent indwelling or after its removal.Co nclusions: Temporary internal stenting of the prostate should be the t reatment of choice for relieving obstruction during hormonal therapy g iven for prostate cancer.