HIGH-ENERGY THERMOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA - RESULTS OF THE EUROPEAN BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA STUDY-GROUP

Purpose: We documented the results of high energy transurethral microw ave thermotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Ma terials and Methods: We evaluated 116 patients following transurethral microwave thermotherapy according to symptom scores, transrectal ultr asound, free voiding and pressure-flow study parameters. Results: Sign ificant improvement was noted ill all objective and subjective paramet ers. Moreover, cavities in the prostatic urethra were observed in almo st 40% of the patients. Conclusions: High energy transurethral microwa ve thermotherapy is an effective therapy for benign prostatic hyperpla sia. Patients with lar ger prostates and moderate to severe bladder ou tlet obstruction seem to be the best candidates for this higher energy thermotherapy protocol, although morbidity is increased.