Management Of BPH

By Giulio I. Scarzella, MD, FACS, FICS

Giulio I. Scarzella, MD

More Cancer Awareness Articles

Management Of BPH

Throughout a mans life, his prostate may grow and start to cause problems as he ages. As a man ages, the prostate begins to slowly enlarge and may begin to squeeze the urethra, causing problems with urination. This is a common condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate. For many years, a prostatectomy was the only treatment for this very common problem. Although effective, such major surgery requires patients to spend significant time in the hospital and at home in recovery. Fortunately, todays technological advances now provide urologists with an array of minimally invasive techniques to treat BPH.
TUNA
One minimally invasive technique is the transurethral radio frequency needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA). This is a minimally invasive way to treat BPH. The technology involves heating of tissue using radio frequency energy transmitted by needles inserted directly into the prostate. High frequency radiowaves heat the prostate up to very high temperatures. The heated prostate tissue is coragulated and initially swells but then shrinks. Most men require a catheter for a short period of time after this procedure. Advantages in the use of TUNA include the limited anesthesia requirement, the ability to perform the procedure in an office setting and avoidance of serious complications sometimes associated with other procedures.
TherMatrx Dose Optimized Thermotherapy (DOT) is a safe and effective non-surgical treatment for BPH that uses a microwave heat source. The FDA has approved TherMatrx DOT as a treatment for BPH symptoms.
TherMatrx DOT is one of the safest and most advanced BPH treatment options available. A single TherMatrx DOT treatment can provide long-lasting symptom relief. It can help you avoid the cost, side effects, and inconvenience of medications. It is not surgery and does not require a visit to the hospital.
TherMatrx DOT is a single treatment done in one visit in your doctors office. During the treatment, your doctor will apply heat to a very specific area of your prostate using the TherMatrx DOT system. Heat is applied with a small, flexible catheter that is inserted into the urethra. No cutting or incision is needed.
During treatment, the TherMatrx DOT patented technology continuously measures the prostate temperature and ensures that the best dose of heat is given to each patient. This best dose coragulates just the prostate tissue needed to provide symptom relief with minimal side effects. The entire TherMatrx DOT treatment takes approximately 40 minutes from the time you walk into the office until the time you leave.
TherMatrx DOT has proven long-term safety and BPH symptom relief. This is because TherMatrx has done studies to determine the precise amount of heat needed to safely relieve BPH symptoms. These studies demonstrate that a single DOT treatment can provide long-lasting BPH symptom relief.
Tens of thousands of men have benefited from safe and effective symptom relief with TherMatrx DOT.
If you or someone you love is suffering from the symptoms of BPH, schedule an appointment with a urologist. Todays technology has enabled us to provide effective treatments with minimal side effects and rapid recovery times.