What is transurethral microwave therapy? Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT) is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure used to treat urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. The procedure involves inserting a specially designed antenna (urinary catheter) into the urethra (the channel through which urine passes from the bladder to the penis) and passing the catheter to the prostate. The antenna emits microwave energy that heats and destroys excess prostate tissue that blocks the flow of urine. Transurethral microwave therapy is one of several minimally invasive treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In which patients is transurethral microwave therapy used? TUMT helps reduce urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia, such as: Frequent, urgent need to urinate; Difficulty starting to urinate; Slow (prolonged) urination; Increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia); Stopping urination and starting again; A feeling that the bladder cannot be completely emptied; Urinary tract infections Transurethral microwave therapy may offer advantages over other methods of treating an enlarged prostate, such as transurethral resection of the prostate and open prostatectomy. Advantages of transurethral microwave therapy may include: Lower risk of bleeding. TUMT may be a good option for men who take blood-thinning medications or who have a clotting disorder that prevents their blood from clotting normally; No hospital stay. TUMT is usually an outpatient procedure and may be a safer option than surgery if certain other health problems are present; Lower risk of retrograde ejaculation (dry orgasm). TUMT is less likely than some other treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to cause semen to leak back into the bladder during ejaculation instead of out of the body through the penis (retrograde ejaculation). Retrograde ejaculation is not a harmful condition, but it can interfere with a man’s fertility. What are the risks of transurethral microwave therapy? TUMT is generally a safe procedure with minimal (if any) complications. Possible risks of TUMT may include: New or worsening urinary symptoms. Sometimes TUMT can lead to chronic inflammation of the prostate (chronic prostatitis). Inflammation can cause symptoms such as frequent or urgent need to urinate and painful urination; Temporary difficulty urinating. You may experience problems urinating a few days after the procedure. Until the patient is able to urinate normally, a urethral catheter will need to be inserted to drain the urine from the bladder; Urinary tract infection (urethritis). Urethritis is a possible complication after any prostate procedure.The longer a urethral catheter has been in use, the more likely a patient will develop an infection. Antibiotics are usually used to treat the infection; Need for re-treatment. TUMT may be less effective in treating urinary symptoms than other minimally invasive treatments or surgery. A new use of another therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia is possible. Due to potential complications, TUMT is sometimes not a treatment option if the patient has the following contraindications: Penile implant; Narrowing of the urethra (urethral stricture); Certain types of treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia affecting a specific area of ??the prostate (middle lobe); A pacemaker or defibrillator; Metal implants in the pelvic area, such as a total hip joint; The presence of other conditions that increase the risk of bleeding or if the patient is taking blood thinners – such as warfarin or clopidogrel If there are contraindications for transurethral microwave therapy in a given patient, the doctor may recommend a different procedure to treat his urinary symptoms. References: 1. Mayo Clinic. Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT) 2. eMedicin. Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy of the Prostate (TUMT) 3. Yerushalmi A, Fishelovitz Y, Singer D, Reiner I, Arielly J, Abramovici Y, et al. Localized deep microwave hyperthermia in the treatment of poor operative risk patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia 4. Aagaard MF, Niebuhr MH, Jacobsen JD, Kr?yer Nielsen K. Transurethral microwave thermotherapy treatment of chronic urinary retention in patients unsuitable for surgeryFishelovitz Y, Singer D, Reiner I, Arielly J, Abramovici Y, et al. Localized deep microwave hyperthermia in the treatment of poor operative risk patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia 4. Aagaard MF, Niebuhr MH, Jacobsen JD, Kr?yer Nielsen K. Transurethral microwave thermotherapy treatment of chronic urinary retention in patients unsuitable for surgeryFishelovitz Y, Singer D, Reiner I, Arielly J, Abramovici Y, et al. Localized deep microwave hyperthermia in the treatment of poor operative risk patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia 4. Aagaard MF, Niebuhr MH, Jacobsen JD, Kr?yer Nielsen K. Transurethral microwave thermotherapy treatment of chronic urinary retention in patients unsuitable for surgery