TUMT - Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy:
Prolieve® BPH Treatment
TUMT provides a 45-minute in-office treatment that combines our microwave thermotherapy capability with a proprietary balloon compression technology to both heat the prostate and dilate the prostatic urethra. The purpose of TUMT is to provide a relatively painless and effective alternative to drug therapy and certain types of surgical procedures to treat the symptoms of BPH.
The combined effect of this “heat plus compression” therapy is twofold: first, the heat denatures the proteins in the wall of the urethra, causing a stiffening of the opening created by the inflated balloon, forming a biological stent. Second, the heat serves effectively to kill off prostate cells outside the wall of the urethra, thereby creating sufficient space for the enlarged natural opening. In addition, temperature used during the procedure (46ºC to 54ºC) is sufficient to kill prostatic cells surrounding the urethra wall, thereby creating space for the enlargement of the urethra opening. However, the relatively low temperature is not sufficient to cause swelling in the urethra.
Results
It might take several weeks to months for you to experience noticeable improvement in urinary symptoms. Your body needs time to break down and absorb overgrown prostate tissue that’s been destroyed by microwave energy. Some men need re-treatment. After TUMT, it’s important to have a checkup with urologist once a year to check your prostate and screen for prostate cancer.
Risks
TUMT is generally safe with few if any major complications. Possible risks of TUMT might include:
- New onset or worsening urinary symptoms. Sometimes TUMT can result in chronic inflammation within the prostate.
- Temporary difficulty urinating for a few days after the procedure, you might need to have a catheter inserted.
- Urinary tract infection – is a possible complication after any prostate procedure. An infection is increasingly likely to occur the longer you have a catheter in place.
- Need for re-treatment. TUMT might be less effective in the treatment of urinary symptoms than other minimally invasive treatments or surgery. You might need to be treated again with another BPH therapy.
Because of potential complications, TUMT might not be a treatment option if you have or have had:
- A penile implant
- Urethral stricture
- Certain types of BPH treatment affecting a specific area of the prostate (median lobe)
- A pacemaker or defibrillator
If you have other conditions that increase your risk of bleeding or if you take blood thinners — such as warfarin or clopidogrel (Plavix) — your doctor may recommend a different procedure to treat your urinary symptoms.