THERMOREGULATION IN THE CANINE PROSTATE DURING TRANSURETHRAL MICROWAVE HYPERTHERMIA, PART II - BLOOD-FLOW RESPONSE

Recent studies on transurethral-applied local hyperthermia in both the canine and human prostate have revealed significant effects of natura l thermoregulation on the therapeutical results in the prostate. Using a thermal clearance method, blood perfusion rates were measured withi n different regions in the canine prostate under normal and hypertherm ic conditions. It has been found that the canine-prostatic blood perfu sion is strongly linked to the geometrical location within the gland, the local tissue temperature, and the imposed thermal dosage. Results from this research are expected to provide a better understanding of t he thermoregulatory behaviour in the canine prostate, and thus lay an important foundation for predicting tissue temperature in the human pr ostate during transurethral microwave hyperthermia.