New Microwave Technology Provides Relief For Men With enlarged Prostates

Men suffering from the uncomfortable symptoms of an enlarged prostate now have a new minimally invasive treatment option which utilizes microwave technology.

Urologists at Diagnostic Center Hospital are now performing a procedure called Targis™ thermotherapy that reduces patient discomfort and eliminates the need for surgery. Diagnostic is currently the first and only hospital in Harris County or southeast Texas to offer Targis™ thermotherapy.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as enlarged prostate, is a noncancerous disease caused by prostate cells that grow and compress the urethra, restricting the flow of urine. Typically occurring in men over the age of 50, BPH affects an estimated 6 million American men. Some of the symptoms include a sudden urgency to urinate and increased frequency of urination.

For the past 40 years, the standard treatment for BPH has been a surgical procedure called transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP. Sometimes called the "Roto-Rooter" procedure, TURP is performed by inserting a surgical endoscope into the urethra and cutting away tissue until urine flow is restored. The procedure requires a minimum two-day hospital stay.

Other treatments include medication. Unfortunately, the overall drug therapy cost per patient can be as much as $12,000 to $18,000 depending on the age of the patient when therapy is initiated.

Now patients can be treated on an outpatient basis utilizing the FDA-approved Targis™ System which uses microwave energy to heat and kill troublesome prostate tissue.

During the one-and-a-half hour procedure, a flexible catheter is inserted into the urethra. A patented microwave antenna inside the catheter delivers precisely targeted microwave energy to the prostatic tissue. Simultaneously, the catheter cools and protects the adjacent urethra and healthy tissue, minimizing patient discomfort, complications and recovery time.

"This procedure has made a tremendous impact in the treatment of enlarged prostate," says Dr. Donald P. Griffith, a urologist at Diagnostic Center Hospital and clinical professor of urology at Baylor College of Medicine. "When drugs no longer provide symptom relief, or when the prospect of prolonged drug treatment seems daunting, Targis™ thermotherapy is a new and effective option."

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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