Application of External Microwave Thermotherapy in Urology: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

The excellent clinical results of transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) gave to TUMT the leading position among the microwave thermotherapy modalities available for the treatment of different urologic conditions. Research in TUMT has focused on operating software, temperature monitoring, intraprostatic heat distribution, cell-kill calculations, and correlations with clinical variables. Randomized comparisons of TUMT with other established therapies for BPH, including transurethral resection, have facilitated the evaluation of the clinical outcome, durability, morbidity, and costs of the treatment. The applications of microwave thermotherapy in other urologic diseases are also presented in this review.

Applications of Microwaves in Medicine Leveraging Artificial Intelligence: Future Perspectives

“…However, the morbidity of TURP is increasing; subsequently, less invasive techniques have been developed for treating BPH [75]. Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT), in which microwaves are used to induce coagulation necrosis in prostatic tissue, appears to be a safe and efficient treatment for BPH [76]. It has also been proposed that this heating also destroys the alpha-adrenergic receptors, thereby increasing the urinary flow after the TUMT [77].…”

Hot and cold technologies for tissue ablation in urology

“…The technology of TUMT has developed since its introduction in 1994. Tissue is ablated by heating the prostate via a urethral catheter to > 46 ° C to induce coagulative necrosis [12]. Urinary retention is a relatively common after treatment, in the short-term, as the heating induces swelling (through oedema).…”