TRANSURETHRAL HYPERTHERMIA FOR RELIEVING OBSTRUCTIVE VOIDING SYMPTOMSIN PATIENTS WITH HORMONE-REFRACTORY PROSTATE-CANCER

Transurethral thermal treatment has been used to relieve obstructive v oiding symptoms in 10 patients with prostate cancer. All patients fail ed previous endocrine treatment for the relief of obstructing urinary symptoms. Temperature ranging from 46 degrees C to 47 degrees C was ap plied transurethrally using Thermex II thermal system. Treatment was g iven in a single session for a duration of 180 minutes on an outpatien t basis without sedation. Mean duration of follow-up was 8.5 months (r ange 4-13 months). Maximal urine flow rate, post-voiding residual volu mes and changes in subjective symptoms were used to assess treatment r esponse. Removal of an indwelling catheter was possible in all 3 patie nts with chronic retention. Urinary infection (2 patients) and tempora ry retention (3 patients) were the only complications recorded. The pr eliminary results suggest that transurethral hyperthermia is a well-to lerated, safe and effective procedure for obstructive voiding symptoms in patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer. Longer follow-up and a larger group of patients is required to assess this alternative modality.